Eurostat reported that the EU unemployment rate reached 5.9% in December 2024. This was an increase from 5.8% in November 2024 but a decline from 6.0% in December 2023.
In the eurozone, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.3% in December 2024. This marked an increase from 6.2% in November 2024 but a drop from 6.5% in December 2023.
Eurostat estimated that 12.978 million people in the EU were unemployed in December 2024. Within the eurozone, 10.830 million individuals were without jobs.
Monthly and Yearly Changes in Unemployment
Compared to November 2024, the EU registered 94,000 more unemployed individuals. In the eurozone, the number of jobless persons increased by 96,000.
Despite the monthly rise, unemployment numbers showed improvement over the year. Compared to December 2023, the EU had 261,000 fewer unemployed individuals. The eurozone saw a decline of 266,000 in the same period.
Unemployment by Gender in December 2024
In December 2024, the EU’s female unemployment rate stood at 6.1%, unchanged from November 2024. The male unemployment rate remained at 5.7%, showing no change from the previous month.
Within the eurozone, the jobless rate for women rose to 6.5%, up from 6.4% in November 2024. The male unemployment rate in the euro area remained stable at 6.1%.