The unemployment rate in the Eurozone reached 2.1 percent in the second quarter of 2026. This decrease from 2.3 percent in the first quarter of 2026 and 2.2 percent in the second quarter of 2025 reflects changes in the labor market of the region. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in the European Union has also decreased to 2.0 percent, which was 2.1 percent in both the first quarter of 2026 and the second quarter of 2025.
Analysis of the unemployment rate by economic sectors
In the Eurozone, the unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2026 by economic sectors is as follows: 2.0 percent in industry and construction and 2.2 percent in services. In the European Union, this rate is reported as 1.8 percent in industry and construction and 2.1 percent in services.
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Unemployment rates in member countries
Among member countries with comparable data available, the highest unemployment rates in the second quarter of 2026 were recorded in the Netherlands at 4.1 percent and Belgium at 3.3 percent. Following them are Malta at 3.1 percent and Austria at 2.9 percent. In contrast, the lowest rates were observed in Romania at 0.5 percent and Poland and Bulgaria at 0.8 percent. Spain and Slovakia also each recorded 0.9 percent in this list.
Comparing the unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2026 with the same quarter of the previous year shows that this rate increased in 3 countries, remained stable in 8 countries, and decreased in 15 countries. Increases were recorded in Slovenia (+0.3 percent), Greece (+0.2 percent), and Sweden (+0.1 percent). On the other hand, the largest decreases were observed in Cyprus (-0.7 percent), Belgium (-0.6 percent), Austria (-0.5 percent), Estonia (-0.4 percent), and Italy (-0.3 percent).
Summary of unemployment rates by economic activities
The unemployment rates in the Eurozone and the European Union based on economic activities in the second quarter of 2026 are as follows: in the construction sector (3.0 percent in the Eurozone and 2.8 percent in the European Union), in administrative and support service activities (2.8 percent in both regions), in accommodation and food service activities (2.6 percent in the Eurozone and 2.5 percent in the European Union), in communication and information services (2.3 percent in both regions), and in professional, scientific, and technical activities (2.3 percent in the Eurozone and 2.2 percent in the European Union).
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