The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 8.1% in September 2018, down from 8.9% in September 2017. At the same time, the EU28 unemployment rate was 6.7% in September 2018, down from 7.5% in September 2017. This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since the start of the EU monthly unemployment series in January 2000, according to data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

When compared to the previous month, the euro area unemployment rate was stable compared with August 2018 while the EU28 unemployment rate was stable compared with August 2018.

Eurostat estimated that 16.57 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 13.15 million in the euro area, were unemployed in September 2018. Compared with August 2018, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 35,000 in the EU28 and increased by 2,000 in the euro area. Compared with September 2017, unemployment fell by 1.79 million in the EU28 and by 1.31 million in the euro area.

Among the member states, the lowest unemployment rates in September 2018 were recorded in Czech Republic (2.3%), Germany and Poland (both 3.4%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (19.0% in July 2018) and Spain (14.9%).

Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in 27 Member States and remained stable in Estonia. The largest decrease was registered in Cyprus (from 10.2% to 7.4%).

In September 2018, the youth unemployment rate (under 25) was 14.9% in the EU28 and 16.8% in the euro area, compared with 16.5% and 18.3% respectively in September 2017. The lowest rates were observed in Czech Republic and Germany (both 6.3%).