On October 31, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, reported that in September this year the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the European Union member states (EU-28) was 11 percent, stable compared to August. The unemployment rate in the region in September indicated an increase compared to the 10.6 percent recorded in September 2012. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area was 12.2 percent in September, also stable compared to August, while it was 11.6 percent in September 2012.
Compared to September 2012, in September of the current year the unemployment rate in the EU-28 fell in 11 states, increased in 16 states and remained stable in the Czech Republic.
Among the EU-28 member states, in September the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria (4.9%), Germany (5.2%) and Luxembourg (5.9%), and the highest in Greece (27.6% in July 2013) and in Spain (26.6%).
Meanwhile, in September this year the unemployment rate in the United States was 7.2 percent, down from 7.8 percent in September 2012.