The job vacancy rate in the euro area (EA19) was 1.6% in the third quarter of 2016, up from 1.5% in the same quarter last year, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

When compared to the previous quarter, the job vacancy rate in the euro area was down from 1.7%. The job vacancy rate in the EU28 was 1.8% in the third quarter of 2016, stable compared with the previous quarter and up from 1.6% in the third quarter of 2015.

In the euro area, the job vacancy rate in the third quarter of 2016 was 1.3% in industry and construction, and 2.0% in services. In the EU28, the rate was 1.4% in industry and construction, and 2.1% in services.

Among the member states for which comparable data are available, the highest job vacancy rates in the third quarter of 2016 were recorded in the Czech Republic (3.1%), Belgium (2.9%), the United Kingdom (2.5%) and Germany (2.3%), and the lowest in Spain and Portugal (both 0.7%), Bulgaria, Greece and Poland (all 0.8%).

Compared with a year ago, the job vacancy rate in the third quarter of 2016 rose in 23 member states and remained stable in five. The largest increase was registered in Latvia (1.2%).