On July 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 June this year, stable compared to May. The unemployment rate in the region was 9.5 percent in June 2011. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area was 11.2 percent in June, also stable compared to May, while it was 10.0 percent in June last year.
Compared to June last year, the unemployment rate in the EU-27 in June this year fell in seven states, increased in 19 and remained stable in Sweden.
Among the member states, in June the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria at 4.5 percent, in the Netherlands at 5.1 percent and in Luxembourg and Germany both at 5.4 percent. The highest unemployment rates were seen in Spain at 24.8 percent and in Greece at 22.5 percent (in April).
Meanwhile, in June this year the unemployment rate in the US was 8.2 percent. The unemployment rate in Japan was 4.4 percent, in May this year.