EU unemployment rate down to 7.6 percent in August

By Ilker Girit

ISTANBUL (AA) - The unemployment rate in the European Union stood at 7.6 percent in August, down from 7.7 percent in July, the statistical office of the bloc said Monday.

In August 2016, the rate was 8.5 percent, Eurostat said.

The eurozone unemployment rate remained at 9.1 percent in August, compared to July. A year ago, the rate was 9.9 percent.

"This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since February 2009," the statement released on the Eurostat website said.

"Eurostat estimates that 18.747 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 14.751 million in the euro area, were unemployed in August 2017.

"Compared with July 2017, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 104,000 in the EU28 and by 42,000 in the euro area," Eurostat added.

Among the member states, the highest unemployment rates in August this year were recorded in Greece (21.2 percent in June 2017) and Spain (17.1 percent).

The lowest unemployment rates were observed in the Czech Republic (2.9 percent), Germany (3.6 percent) and Malta (4.2 percent).

The euro area consists of 19 EU member states using the euro currency.