The unemployment from the Euro area, at a historical maximum

The number of persons who does not have a working place from EU has reached 24,55 millions, according to Eurostat data.

The unemployment rate from EU has advanced in February at 10,2 percent, from 10,1 percent in January and 9,5 percent within the correspondent period from last year.

Within the Euro area, the unemployment has increased in February at 10,8 percent, a new record, from 10,7 percent in January, respectively 10 percent in the same period of last year, according to data presented Monday by Eurostat.

Eurostat estimates that 24,5 millions persons from European Union, among them being 17,1 millions from euro area, did not have a working place in February 2012.

Within the period between February 2011 and February 2012, the number of unemployed persons has increased with 1,8 million in EU and with 1,4 million in euro area.

The number of unemployed persons from the Euro area has increased with 1,47 millions in the last 12 months, at 17,13 millions.

Among the member states, the highest rates of unemployment were registered in Spain (23,6 percent) and Greece (21percent), and the lowest in Austria (4,2 percent), Holland (4,9 percent), Luxemburg (5,2 percent) and Germany (5,7 percent).

Compared to February 2011, the unemployment has decreased in 8 states, has decreased in 18 states and has stagnated in Romania (7,1 percent), notices Eurostat.

The number of young people from EU has increased with 262,000 since February 2011, at 5,46 millions, representing an unemployment rate among young people of 22,4 percent at EU level.
In Spain and Greece, the unemployment among young people overcomes 50 percent.

EU unemployment top

1. Spain - 23,6%
2. Greece - 21%
3. Portugal - 15%
............................
21. Romania - 7,1%
.............................

25. Luxemburg - 5,2%
26. Holland - 4,9%
27. Austria - 4,2%

Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University