The latest figures from Eurociett provide some much needed Christmas cheer as they show the number of hours worked by agency workers in Europe was up +2.5% for October.

The European average year-on-year growth seems to have bounced back after a 12-month low in September. In October the preliminary growth figure shows strong performances in Italy and Poland, although Poland is no longer topping the chart. Unfortunately France has dropped further down the table, from -3.5% year on year in September to -4.5% in October. Germany on the other hand shows a slight improvement, from negative growth in July and August to a moderate growth of 0.4% in September.

All countries included in this overview have now had positive turnover developments except for France, which has declined, with -4.5% compared to October 2013. Poland saw the largest year-on-year growth with 18.1%.

After peak in unemployment in April 2012, unemployment has declined. In October 2014 unemployment levels still dropped, but by a slower rate (-6.5% year on year compared to -7.6% year on year in September). Agency work showed growth earlier than general employment levels, which proves once again that agency work is a leading indicator for unemployment levels, and is able to respond more quickly to economic developments. The growth in agency work has been slowing down for several months, and correspondingly there is now a decline in general unemployment.

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