The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.6% in December 2016, down from 10.5% in December 2015. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since May 2009, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

When compared to November 2016, the unemployment rate in the euro area also decreased from 9.7%. The EU28 unemployment rate was 8.2% in December 2016, stable compared to November 2016 and down from 9.0% in December 2015. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since February 2009.

Eurostat estimates that 20 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 15.5 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in December 2016. Compared with November 2016, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 159,000 in the EU28 and by 121, 000 in the euro area. Compared with December 2015, unemployment fell by 1.84 million in the EU28 and by 1.25 million in the euro area.

Among the member states, the lowest unemployment rates in December 2016 were recorded in the Czech Republic (3.5%) and Germany (3.9%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (23.0% in October 2016) and Spain (18.4%). Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate in December 2016 fell in 24 member states.

In December 2016, 4.2 million young persons (under 25) were unemployed in the EU28, of whom 2.9 million were in the euro area. Compared with December 2015, youth unemployment decreased by 196,000 in the EU28 and by 88,000 in the euro area. Furthermore, in December 2016, the youth unemployment rate was 18.6% in the EU28 and 20.9% in the euro area, compared with 19.5% and 21.8% respectively in December 2015. The lowest rate for December 2016 was observed in Germany (6.5%), while the highest were recorded in Greece (44.2% in October 2016), Spain (42.9%) and Italy (40.1%).