In February 2024, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area was 6.5%, down from 6.6% in February 2023. The EU unemployment rate was 6.0% in February 2024, also stable compared with February 2023, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. 

When compared to the prior month, both the EU and euro area rates were stable.

Eurostat estimates that 13.249 million persons in the EU, of whom 11.102 million in the euro area, were unemployed in February 2024. Compared with February 2023, unemployment increased by 156,000 in the EU and decreased by 30,000 in the euro area. 

Czechia had the lowest unemployment rate in February at 2.6%, while Spain recorded the highest at 11.5%. 

Further data from the Eurostat showed that, in February 2024, the unemployment rate for women was 6.4% in the EU, an increase compared with 6.3% in February 2023. In the euro area, the unemployment rate for women in February 2024 was 6.9%, down from 7.0 in the last year in February. 

Regarding men, the unemployment rate in February 2024 was 5.7% in the EU, remaining unchanged from February 2023. In the euro area. The unemployment rate for men was 6.1% in February 2024, down from 6.2% in February 2023. 

In February 2024, 2.899 million young persons (under 25) were unemployed in the EU, of whom 2.319 million were in the euro area. Additionally, data from February 2024 shows that the youth unemployment rate was 14.8% in the EU, down from 14.9% in January 2024.  

In the euro area, the youth unemployment rate stood at 14.6%, stable compared to the previous month. Compared with February 2023, youth unemployment increased by 174 thousand in the EU and by 91 thousand in the euro area.