The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 8.5% in February 2018, down from 8.6% in January 2018 and from 9.5% in February 2017. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since December 2008. The EU28 unemployment rate was 7.1% in February 2018, down from 7.2% in January 2018 and from 8.0% in February 2017. This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since September 2008. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates in February 2018 were recorded in the Czech Republic (2.4%), Germany and Malta (both 3.5%) as well as Hungary (3.7% in January 2018). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (20.8% in December 2017) and Spain (16.1%). Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in all Member States except Estonia where it increased (from 5.8% to 6.5% between January 2017 and January 2018). The largest decreases were registered in Cyprus (from 12.6% to 9.6%), Greece (from 23.4% to 20.8% between December 2016 and December 2017) and Croatia (from 12.0% to 9.6%). In February 2018, the unemployment rate in the United States was 4.1%, stable compared to January 2018 and down from 4.7% in February 2017.
In February 2018, 3.589 million young persons (under 25) were unemployed in the EU28, of whom 2.520 million were in the euro area. Compared with February 2017, youth unemployment decreased by 314 000 in the EU28 and by 213 000 in the euro area. In February 2018, the youth unemployment rate was 15.9% in the EU28 and 17.7% in the euro area, compared with 17.3% and 19.4% respectively in February 2017. In February 2018, the lowest rates were observed in Germany (6.2%), the Netherlands (7.2%) and the Czech Republic (7.5%), while the highest were recorded in Greece (45.0% in December 2017), Spain (35.5%) and Italy (32.8%).
