The job vacancy rate in the euro area (EA19) stood at 2.3% in the second quarter of 2019, up from 2.1% in the second quarter of 2018. At the same time, in the EU28, the job vacancy rate was also 2.3%, up from 2.2% in the second quarter of 2018, according to data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

When compared to the previous quarter, both the euro area and EU28 job vacancy rates remained stable.

In the euro area, the job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2019 was 2.0% in industry and construction, and 2.6% in services. In the EU28, the rate was 2.1% in industry and construction, and 2.6% in services.

Among the member states for which comparable data are available, the highest job vacancy rates in the second quarter of 2019 were recorded in Czechia (6.2%), Belgium and the Netherlands (both 3.4%).

In contrast, the lowest rates were observed in Greece (0.7%), Bulgaria and Spain (both 0.9%).

Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, the job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2019 rose in ten Member States, remained stable in nine and fell in nine others. The largest increases were registered in Czechia (0.8%), Latvia (0.5%), Germany and Malta (both 0.4%). The largest decreases were registered in Croatia and Slovenia (both -0.3%).

Employment in the EU28 rose by 1.0% in the second quarter, according to Eurostat figures published earlier this month.