The number of persons employed in the Euro Area (EA-19) increased by 1.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with the same period last year, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Eurostat’s figures also showed that employment increased by 1.5% in the EU28 when compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, when compared to the previous quarter, employment was up 0.3% in the Euro area and 0.2% in the EU28.

Eurostat estimates that, in the fourth quarter of 2017, 236.8 million men and women were employed in the EU28, of which 156.7 million were in the Euro area. These are the highest levels ever recorded in both areas.

Over the whole year 2017, employment rose by 1.6% in both areas, compared with 1.3% in the Euro area and 1.2% in the EU28 in 2016.

Among member states, Malta (6.1%) recorded the highest increase in Q4 compared with the previous year. The only decrease was seen in Lithuania (-0.5%).