The labour market across the European Union showed mixed signals in February 2026, as unemployment ticked up slightly in the euro area while remaining stable across the

wider bloc, according to new data released by Eurostat.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area rose to 6.2%, up from 6.1% in January, though still lower than the 6.3% recorded a year earlier. Across the EU as a whole, the rate held steady at 5.9%, marking a modest improvement compared with February 2025.

In absolute terms, around 13.1 million people were unemployed across the EU, including nearly 10.9 million in the euro area. On a monthly basis, unemployment increased by 137,000 in the EU and 93,000 in the euro area. However, the broader trend remains slightly positive, with annual figures showing a small decline.

Youth unemployment remains a concern

While overall unemployment remains relatively contained, the situation for young people continues to raise concerns. In February, nearly 3 million people under the age of 25 were unemployed across the EU.

The youth unemployment rate rose to 15.3% in the EU, with the euro area holding at 14.9%. Month-on-month increases, though relatively small, suggest that younger workers remain more vulnerable to economic fluctuations.

Gender gap persists

Differences between men and women in the labour market also persisted. In the EU, unemployment among women rose slightly to 6.1%, while the rate for men remained unchanged at 5.7%. A similar pattern was observed in the euro area, where women’s unemployment increased to 6.4%, compared with 6.0% for men.

Wide disparities across member states

National figures highlight significant variation across countries. Spain and Greece continue to report some of the highest unemployment rates, despite gradual improvements, while countries such as Poland, Czechia, and Malta maintain relatively low levels.

Northern economies like Denmark and Finland have recently seen notable increases, underlining uneven labour market dynamics across the region.

How the EU is fighting unemployment

Despite these challenges, the European Union has been actively pursuing policies aimed at reducing unemployment and improving job quality across member states.

Key initiatives include:

- The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which finances job creation, training, and social inclusion programs

- The Youth Guarantee programme, designed to ensure that young people receive employment, education, or training opportunities within months of becoming unemployed

- Reskilling and upskilling strategies, particularly focused on digital and green transitions

- Investment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, supporting job-rich economic recovery following recent crises

These measures aim not only to reduce headline unemployment figures but also to address structural issues such as long-term unemployment, labour shortages in key sectors, and mismatches between skills and job market needs. Photo by Phil Whitehouse, Wikimedia commons.