BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – Euro area unemployment remained steady at 6.4% in August 2026, with no change from July, according to Eurostat. The rate was 6.3% in August 2025. Across the European Union, the unemployment rate also held at 6.1% for the second consecutive month, compared to 6.0% a year earlier. Despite stable headline figures, the total number of unemployed persons increased in both regions.
Eurostat reported that 11.357 million individuals were unemployed in the euro area during August. The broader EU counted 13.600 million unemployed individuals in the same month. Unemployment rose by 26,000 in the euro zone and by 12,000 across the EU from July. Year-over-year, the number grew by 267,000 in the euro area and 348,000 within the 27-member EU.
Unemployment rates varied significantly across member states in August. Spain registered 10.0%, Finland 10.3%, and Sweden 8.7%. France reported 8.2%, Italy 6.2%, and Germany 4.0%. At the lower end, Czechia had 3.2%. Malta, Poland, and Slovenia each stood at 3.4%, with Bulgaria at 3.5%.
Youth unemployment shows mixed trends
The youth unemployment rate displayed contrasting movements between the euro area and the broader EU. The euro zone’s rate for individuals under 25 decreased slightly to 15.0% from 15.1% in July. Conversely, the EU youth unemployment rate increased marginally to 15.4% from 15.3%. The number of unemployed young people was approximately 2.391 million in the euro area, with the EU total reaching 2.973 million.
In July, the number of unemployed youth in the euro zone fell by 9,000, while across the EU, it rose by 13,000. Comparing to August 2025, youth unemployment increased by 38,000 in the euro area and by 19,000 within the EU. Rates for young unemployed persons remained higher than overall unemployment rates in both regions.
Gender disparities persist in unemployment figures
August’s data also reflected ongoing differences between male and female unemployment rates. In the euro area, the rate for women was 6.7%, compared to 6.2% for men, with no change from July. The EU recorded 6.4% for women and 5.9% for men, both unchanged from the previous month.
These unemployment statistics follow harmonized definitions advised by the International Labour Organization. They include people aged 15 to 74 who are jobless, available to work, and have actively sought employment within the past four weeks. The rate is calculated as a share of the labor force. The next update for euro-area and EU unemployment figures is scheduled for October 30, 2026.