BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – Euro area unemployment remained steady at 6.4% in August 2026, with no change from July, Eurostat reports. In comparison, the rate was 6.3% in August 2025. Meanwhile, across the European Union, the unemployment rate persisted at 6.1% for a second consecutive month, up from 6.0% a year earlier. Despite stable headline figures, the overall number of unemployed individuals increased in both regions.
Eurostat estimates indicated that 11.357 million people were unemployed in the euro area during August. The broader EU recorded a total of 13.600 million unemployed individuals in the same month. Compared to July, unemployment grew by 26,000 in the euro zone and by 12,000 across the EU. From August 2025, the number of unemployed increased by 267,000 within the euro area and 348,000 across the 27-member European Union.
The unemployment rates of member states continued to display significant variation in August. Spain’s rate was 10.0%, Finland’s at 10.3%, and Sweden’s at 8.7%. France registered 8.2%, Italy 6.2%, and Germany 4.0%. On the lower end, Czechia reported 3.2%. Malta, Poland, and Slovenia each had unemployment rates of 3.4%, while Bulgaria’s rate stood at 3.5%.
Youth unemployment exhibits diverging trends
The youth unemployment rate experienced mixed movements between the euro area and the wider EU. The euro-area rate for those under 25 declined slightly to 15.0% from 15.1% in July. Conversely, the EU youth unemployment rate increased marginally to 15.4% from 15.3%. Approximately 2.391 million young people were unemployed within the euro zone, while the EU total reached 2.973 million.
Compared to July, the number of unemployed young individuals decreased by 9,000 in the euro area but rose by 13,000 across the EU. When measured against August 2025, youth unemployment rose by 38,000 in the euro zone, with the EU experiencing an annual increase of 19,000. Rates for youth unemployment remain higher than overall unemployment figures in both regions.
Unemployment rates for women remain above those for men
August’s data also highlighted persistent disparities between female and male unemployment rates. In the euro area, the rate for women was 6.7%, while men’s stood at 6.2%, with no change from July. Across the EU, women’s unemployment was 6.4%, compared to 5.9% for men, both figures unchanged from the previous month.
These statistics are based on harmonized definitions endorsed by the International Labour Organization, including individuals aged 15 to 74 who are jobless and ready to work. To be classified as unemployed, they must have actively sought employment in the past four weeks. The unemployment rate reflects this group as a proportion of the labor force. The upcoming euro-area and EU unemployment figures will be released on October 30, 2026.