The unemployment rate across the European Union experienced a slight increase to 5.9% in December 2024, up from November’s 5.8%. However, this figure has improved compared to the 6.0% recorded in December 2023, as reported by Eurostat, the EU’s official statistical office.
In the eurozone, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also rose to 6.3% in December, a rise from 6.2% in November 2024 but a decrease from 6.5% in December 2023. This indicates a mixed picture for the job market in the region.
According to Eurostat’s estimates, approximately 12.978 million individuals in the EU were unemployed in December 2024. Within the eurozone, this number stood at about 10.830 million. Compared to November 2024, the number of unemployed individuals increased by 94,000 in the EU and 96,000 in the eurozone. Nonetheless, looking back to December 2023, the figures show a positive trend, with unemployment decreasing by 261,000 in the EU and 266,000 in the eurozone.
Gender Disparities in Unemployment
When examining unemployment rates by gender in December 2024, the rate for women in the EU remained stable at 6.1%, while for men, it was also unchanged at 5.7%. Within the eurozone, women’s unemployment saw a slight rise to 6.5%, up from 6.4% in the prior month, while men’s unemployment stayed steady at 6.1%.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Euronews
