BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – Euro area unemployment persisted at 6.4% in August 2026, the same as in July. Eurostat reported that the rate was 6.3% in August 2025. The European Union maintained a steady unemployment rate of 6.1% for the second month in a row. A year prior, the EU rate had been 6.0%, with recent figures indicating a slight rise in the number of unemployed individuals.
In August, the euro area was estimated to have 11.357 million unemployed persons. This figure increased by 26,000 from July and by 267,000 when compared to August 2025. Meanwhile, across the entire European Union, approximately 13.600 million people were out of work in the same month. The EU total rose by 12,000 from July and by 348,000 compared to the same period last year.
Unemployment rates varied significantly among individual EU nations in August. Finland reported a rate of 10.3%, with Spain at 10.0%, and Sweden at 8.7%. France’s rate was 8.2%, while Italy registered 6.2%, and Germany had 4.0%. Czechia’s unemployment was at 3.2%, with Malta, Poland, and Slovenia each at 3.4%. Bulgaria followed at 3.5%.
Youth unemployment exhibits mixed monthly trends
The youth unemployment rate experienced different movements within the euro area and the broader EU. The euro-area rate for those under 25 decreased slightly to 15.0% from 15.1% in July. Conversely, the EU youth unemployment rate rose marginally to 15.4% from 15.3% during the same period. In total, roughly 2.391 million young people were unemployed in the euro zone, while the EU-wide figure reached 2.973 million.
The number of unemployed youth in the euro area fell by 9,000 compared to July. In the EU, the total increased by 13,000 during that month. Year-over-year, youth unemployment in the euro zone climbed by 38,000, and the EU saw an increase of 19,000. Youth unemployment continues to remain significantly higher than the overall jobless rate in both areas.
Higher unemployment rates persist among women
In August, women continued to experience higher unemployment than men. Within the euro area, the unemployment rate for women was 6.7%, compared to 6.2% for men. Both figures remained unchanged from July. Across the EU, the rate for women stayed at 6.4%, with men’s rate steady at 5.9%. The data for the month showed no change in either gender’s unemployment rate from the previous month.
Eurostat’s calculation of unemployment relies on harmonized standards based on International Labour Organization criteria. The measure includes individuals aged 15 to 74 who are without work, available for employment, and have actively searched for jobs within the past four weeks. The unemployment rate reflects this group as a proportion of the labor force. The upcoming update on euro-area and EU unemployment is set for October 30, 2026.