The euro area’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.8% in November 2016, down from 10.5% in November 2015, the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since July 2009, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The biggest decrease in unemployment, year-on-year, was seen in Croatia.

When compared to the previous month, the unemployment rate in the euro area was stable. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in the EU28 was 8.3% in November 2016, down from 8.4% in October 2016 and from 9.0% in November 2015. This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since February 2009.

Eurostat estimates that 20.4 million men and women in the EU28, 15.9 million of whom were in the euro area, were unemployed in November 2016. Compared with October 2016, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 41,000 in the EU28 and by 15,000 in the euro area. Since November 2015, unemployment has fallen by 1.5 million in the EU28 and by 972,000 in the euro area.

Among the member states, the lowest unemployment rates in November 2016 were recorded in the Czech Republic (3.7%) and Germany (4.1%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (23.1% in September 2016) and Spain (19.2%).

Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate in November 2016 fell in 24 member states, while it increased in Estonia (to 7.4% in October 2016 to 6.3% in October 2015), Cyprus (to 14.2% from 13.2%), Denmark (to 6.5% from 6.1%) and Italy (to 11.9% from 11.5%). The largest decrease was registered in Croatia (to 11.4% from 15.7%).

In November 2016, the youth unemployment rate was 18.8% in the EU28 and 21.2% in the euro area, compared with 19.5% and 21.8% respectively in November 2015.