According to Eurostat, in September 2026 there were 13,773 million unemployed people in the EU, of whom 11,555 million were in the euro area.
Overall unemployment rate and trends
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the euro area in September 2026 was 6,5%, unchanged compared with August 2026 and up from 6,3% in September 2025.
Compared with August 2026, total unemployment in the EU increased by 105,000, and in the euro area by 122,000. On an annual basis, compared with September 2025, unemployment in the EU rose by 471,000, and in the euro area by 420,000.
Number and rate of youth unemployment
In September 2026 there were 3,022 million unemployed people under the age of 25 in the EU, of whom 2,469 million were in the euro area.
The youth unemployment rate in the EU stood at 15,5%, higher than 15,4% in the previous month. In the euro area the youth unemployment rate reached 15,4%, up from 15,1% in August 2026.
Unemployment by gender
In September 2026 the unemployment rate for women in the EU was 6,4%, and for men was 6,0%. These figures remained unchanged compared with the previous month.
The total number of unemployed people and the percentage figures are reported in Eurostat’s September 2026 publication.
