Employment and Social Developments in Europe – Quarterly Review – Autumn 2016
(BRUSSELS) – Employment in the EU has increased in almost all Member States, according to the autumn edition of the European Commission’s Employment and Social Development in Europe Quarterly Review.
Between August 2015 and August 2016, an additional 3.2 million people found jobs in the EU, of which 2.2 million of them were in the eurozone.
There also has been a steady increase in the number of permanent jobs and full-time employment over the year.
Unemployment in the EU is now at its lowest rate (8.6%) since March 2009, with 1.6 million fewer unemployed people in the EU compared to last year.
Unemployment rates declined in 24 of the 28 EU Member States, although large differences still exist.
Long-term unemployment continued to decrease and now affects 4.2% of the labour force, compared to 4.9% one year ago.
Youth unemployment in the EU also declined from 20.1% in August 2015 to 18.6% in August 2016.
There are 1.4 million less young unemployed since the implementation of the schemes in 2013.
Finally, Europeans aged between 55 and 64 years are remaining active longer. More specifically, in the first quarter of 2016, close to 3 out of 4 persons within this age group was still part of the work force.
Employment Commissioner Marianne Thyssen said the figures confirmed positive results in the Commission ‘s Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative report, launched last week. However, she expressed some caution, saying “we are not there yet. 4.2 million young people are still looking for a job and can’t be left behind.”
Employment and Social Developments in Europe – Quarterly Review – Autumn 2016
