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. In the European Union, unemployment stayed at 6.1% for a second month in a row. One year earlier, the EU rate was 6.0%. The latest data shows a slight rise in the number of unemployed individuals.
There were an estimated 11.357 million unemployed people in the euro area in August. This was an increase of 26,000 from July and 267,000 compared to August 2025. Across the EU, about 13.600 million people were unemployed that month. The EU total grew by 12,000 from July and by 348,000 from the same period last year.
Unemployment rates varied significantly among EU nations in August. Finland recorded 10.3%, Spain 10.0%, and Sweden 8.7%. France’s rate was 8.2%, Italy 6.2%, and Germany 4.0%. Czechia had 3.2%, while Malta, Poland, and Slovenia each registered 3.4%. Bulgaria followed with 3.5%.
Youth unemployment fluctuates in the euro area and EU
Youth unemployment showed mixed trends across Europe. The euro-area rate for those under 25 decreased to 15.0% from 15.1% in July. The EU youth rate increased slightly to 15.4% from 15.3%. In total, 2.391 million young people were unemployed in the euro zone, compared to 2.973 million in the EU.
In August, the number of unemployed youths in the euro area dropped by 9,000 from July. Meanwhile, the EU total rose by 13,000. Year-over-year, youth unemployment increased by 38,000 in the euro zone and 19,000 across the EU. Youth unemployment remains much higher than the overall unemployment rate in both regions.
Higher jobless rates persist for women in August
Women still experience higher unemployment than men in August. The euro area rate for women was 6.7%, while men had 6.2%. Neither rate changed from July. Across the EU, women’s unemployment was 6.4%, with men at 5.9%. The monthly figures show stability for both genders compared to July.
Eurostat measures unemployment based on harmonized standards aligned with International Labour Organization guidelines. The data covers individuals aged 15 to 74 who are without a job but available for work. They must have actively sought employment in the last four weeks. The unemployment rate reflects this group as a percentage of the labor force. The next update for euro-area and EU unemployment figures is scheduled for October 30, 2026.