April 07, 2026

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area was 6.2% in February 2026, up from 6.1% in January 2026 and down from 6.3% in February 2025. Over the same period, the EU unemployment rate stood at 5.9%, unchanged from January 2026 and lower than 6.0% in February 2025.

Eurostat estimates that 13.118 million persons were unemployed in the EU in February 2026, of whom 10.919 million lived in the euro area. Compared with January 2026, unemployment increased by 137 thousand in the EU and by 93 thousand in the euro area. Compared with February 2025, unemployment declined by 18 thousand in the EU and by 124 thousand in the euro area.

Youth unemployment

In February 2026, 2.957 million young people (under 25) were unemployed in the EU, including 2.373 million in the euro area. The youth unemployment rate rose to 15.3% in the EU, from 15.2% in January 2026, while it remained stable at 14.9% in the euro area.

Compared with January 2026, youth unemployment increased by 18 thousand in the EU and by 5 thousand in the euro area. Relative to February 2025, youth unemployment rose by 5 thousand in the EU but declined by 8 thousand in the euro area.

Unemployment by sex

In February 2026, the EU unemployment rate for women increased slightly to 6.1%, from 6.0% in January 2026, while the rate for men remained unchanged at 5.7%. In the euro area, unemployment among women rose to 6.4% (from 6.3%), whereas the rate for men was stable at 6.0%.

(Source: Eurostat)

Disclaimer:

Analyst Certification -The views expressed in this research report accurately reflect the personal views of Mayberry Investments Limited Research Department about those issuer(s) or securities as at the date of this report. Each research analyst (s) also certify that no part of their compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendation(s) or view(s) expressed by that research analyst in this research report.

Company Disclosure -The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. You are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Mayberry may effect transactions or have positions in securities mentioned herein. In addition, employees of Mayberry may have positions and effect transactions in the securities mentioned herein.