The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 8.7% in December 2017, down from 9.7% in December 2016. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since January 2009, according to figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The EU28 unemployment rate was 7.3% in December 2017, down from 8.2% in December 2016 and the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since October 2008.

On a month-to-month basis, the EA19 rate was stable compared to November 2017 as was the EU28 unemployment rate.

Eurostat estimates that 17.96 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 14.13 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in December 2017. Compared with December 2016, unemployment fell by 2.06 million in the EU28 and by 1.53 million in the euro area. Compared with November 2017, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 165, 000 in the EU28 and by 134,000 in the euro area. Compared with December 2016, unemployment fell by 2.06 million in the EU28 and by 1.53 million in the euro area.

Among the member states, the lowest unemployment rates in December 2017 were recorded in the Czech Republic (2.3%), Malta and Germany (both 3.6%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (20.7% in October 2017) and Spain (16.4%).

Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in all member states for which data is comparable over time except in Finland where it remained stable.

During the same period the youth unemployment rate (under 25) was 16.1% in the EU28 and 17.9% in the euro area, compared with 18.0% and 20.3% respectively in December 2016.