The job vacancy rate in the euro area stood at 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017, up from 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the EU28, the job vacancy rate was 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2017, up from 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

On a quarterly basis, Eurostat’s job vacancy rate figures showed a 0.1% improvement in the euro area for Q4 while the EU28 vacancy rate remained stable.

Among the member states for which comparable data are available, the highest job vacancy rates in the fourth quarter of 2017 were recorded in the Czech Republic (4.4%), Belgium (3.4%) and Germany (2.8%). The lowest rates were observed in Greece (0.1%), Spain (0.7%), Bulgaria and Portugal (both 0.8%).

Compared with the same quarter of the previous year and among the Member States for which data are comparable over time (see country notes), the job vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of 2017 rose in twenty-three member states, remained stable in Bulgaria and Spain, but fell in Greece and Romania (both -0.2%).

In the euro area, the job vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of 2017 was 1.7% in industry and construction, and 2.3% in services. In the EU28, the rate was 1.8% in industry and construction, and 2.3% in services.