On August 31, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, reported that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the European Union member states (EU-27) was 10.4 percent in July this year, stable compared to June. The unemployment rate in the region was 9.6 percent in July 2011. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area was 11.3 percent in July, also stable compared to June, while it was 10.1 percent in June last year.
Compared to July 2011, the unemployment rate in the EU-27 in July this year fell in 10 states, increased in 16 and remained stable in Slovenia.
Among the member states, in July the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria at 4.5 percent, in the Netherlands at 5.3 percent and in Luxembourg and Germany both at 5.5 percent. The highest unemployment rates were seen in Spain at 25.1 percent and in Greece at 23.1 percent (in May).
Meanwhile, in July this year the unemployment rate in the US was 8.3 percent. The unemployment rate in Japan in June was 4.3 percent.