The EU’s unemployment rate reached 5.9% in December 2024, increasing from 5.8% in November 2024 but decreasing from 6.0% in December 2023. Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, provided these figures.
The eurozone’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate climbed to 6.3% in December, rising from 6.2% in November 2024 but falling from 6.5% in December 2023.
Eurostat reported that 12.978 million individuals in the EU were unemployed in December. Among them, 10.830 million resided in the eurozone.
Changes in Joblessness Across the EU and Eurozone
Compared to November 2024, the number of unemployed persons increased by 94,000 in the EU and by 96,000 in the eurozone.
Despite this monthly increase, the yearly trend showed improvement. Unemployment fell by 261,000 across the EU and by 266,000 in the euro area compared to December 2023.
These numbers highlight ongoing shifts in employment patterns across EU member states and within the eurozone economies.
Unemployment Figures by Gender
The jobless rate for women in the EU stood at 6.1% in December 2024, remaining unchanged from November. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for men was 5.7%, also stable compared to the previous month.
Within the eurozone, the unemployment rate for women rose slightly to 6.5%, up from 6.4% in November 2024. The men’s unemployment rate remained steady at 6.1%.
These gender-specific figures indicate minor shifts in employment trends, with women experiencing a slight increase in unemployment while men’s jobless rates remained unchanged.
