The unemployment rate across the EU reached 5.9% in December 2024. This was an increase from 5.8% in November but a slight drop from 6.0% in December 2023. Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, reported these figures.
In the eurozone, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.3% in December. This marked an increase from 6.2% in November but a decline from 6.5% in December 2023.
Total Number of Unemployed Increases Slightly
Eurostat estimated that 12.978 million people in the EU were unemployed in December 2024. Of these, 10.830 million lived in the euro area.
Compared to November 2024, the number of unemployed individuals increased by 94,000 in the EU and by 96,000 in the eurozone.
However, in comparison to December 2023, the total number of unemployed persons dropped by 261,000 in the EU and by 266,000 in the eurozone.
Unemployment Rates by Gender
The unemployment rate for women in the EU stood at 6.1% in December 2024. This figure remained the same as in November. The rate for men was 5.7%, also unchanged from the previous month.
Within the eurozone, the unemployment rate for women increased to 6.5% from 6.4% in November 2024. Meanwhile, the rate for men remained stable at 6.1% compared to the previous month.