BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – Euro area unemployment remained steady at 6.4% in August 2026, the same as in July. Eurostat reported that the rate was 6.3% in August 2025. Within the European Union, the unemployment figure held at 6.1% for a second straight month. A year earlier, the EU rate was 6.0%, although recent data showed a slight increase in the number of unemployed individuals.
The euro area had approximately 11.357 million unemployed persons in August. This figure rose by 26,000 compared to July and by 267,000 relative to August 2025. Across the entire European Union, roughly 13.600 million people were unemployed during the same month. The EU total grew by 12,000 from July and by 348,000 compared to August of last year.
Unemployment rates varied significantly among individual EU nations in August. Finland’s rate was 10.3%, while Spain reported 10.0%, and Sweden stood at 8.7%. France’s unemployment rate was 8.2%, with Italy at 6.2% and Germany at 4.0%. Czechia registered 3.2%, whereas Malta, Poland, and Slovenia each recorded 3.4%. Bulgaria followed at 3.5%.
Youth unemployment exhibits mixed trends in monthly data
The rate of youth unemployment showed divergent movements across the euro area and broader European Union. In the euro zone, the percentage of unemployed individuals under 25 eased slightly to 15.0% from 15.1% in July. Meanwhile, the EU youth unemployment rate increased marginally to 15.4% from 15.3% during the same period. Around 2.391 million young people were unemployed within the euro area, with the EU total reaching 2.973 million.
The youth unemployment figure in the euro area decreased by 9,000 compared to July, whereas the EU total rose by 13,000 over the same period. Compared to August 2025, youth unemployment in the euro zone grew by 38,000, while the EU saw an increase of 19,000. Despite these fluctuations, youth unemployment remains notably higher than the overall unemployment rate in both areas.
Higher jobless rates persist among women in August
In August, women continued to experience higher unemployment rates than men. The euro area recorded 6.7% unemployment for women, compared to 6.2% for men. Both figures remained unchanged from July. Across the EU, the unemployment rate for women was stable at 6.4%, while men’s rate stayed at 5.9%. The monthly figures showed no variation from July for either gender.
Eurostat’s unemployment figures are based on harmonized definitions following International Labour Organization standards. The measurement includes people aged 15 to 74 who are jobless and available for work, having actively searched for employment in the previous four weeks. The unemployment rate reflects this group as a proportion of the labor force. The upcoming update on euro-area and EU unemployment data is scheduled for October 30, 2026.