The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.6% in January 2017, down from 10.4% in January 2016 and stable compared to December 2016 and the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since May 2009, according to figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The EU28 unemployment rate was 8.1% in January 2017, down from 8.9% in January 2016 and down from 8.2% in December 2016. This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since January 2009.

Eurostat estimates that 19.9 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 15.620 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in January 2017. Compared with December 2016, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 96 000 in the EU28 and by 56,000 in the euro area. Compared with January 2016, unemployment fell by 1.7 million in the EU28 and by 1.1 million in the euro area.

Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates in January 2017 were recorded in the Czech Republic (3.4%) and Germany (3.8%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (23.0% in November 2016) and Spain (18.2%).

Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate in January 2017 fell in twenty-five Member States, while it increased in Cyprus, Italy and Denmark.

In January 2017, 4.0 million young persons (under 25) were unemployed in the EU28, of whom 2.826 million were in the euro area. Compared with January 2016, youth unemployment decreased by 357 000 in the EU28 and by 198 000 in the euro area. In January 2017, the youth unemployment rate was 17.7% in the EU28 and 20.0% in the euro area, compared with 19.3% and 21.7% respectively in January 2016.