On July 1, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, reported that in May of the current year the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the European Union member states (EU-28) was 10.3 percent, down from 10.4 percent in April, while it was down from 10.9 percent in May 2013. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area was 11.6 percent in May, stable compared to April, while decreasing from 12.0 percent in May 2013.
Compared to May 2013, in May this year the unemployment rate in the EU-28 fell in 21 states, increased in six states and remained stable in Austria.
Among the EU-28 member states, in May the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria (4.7%), Germany (5.1%) and Malta (5.7%), and the highest in Greece (26.8% in March 2014) and in Spain (25.1%).
Meanwhile, in May this year the unemployment rate in the United States was 6.3 percent, unchanged from April and declining from 7.5 percent in May 2013.