Sweden and Spain have the highest unemployment rate in EU

Sweden (8%) and Spain (12%) have the highest unemployment rate in the European Union, while Italy (24.7%) and Spain (28%) have the highest unemployment rate among youth 15-24 years old, with Sweden (22.1%) in third place.

Sweden and Spain have the highest unemployment rate in the EU

In October 2023, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for the euro area remained unchanged at 6.5%, according to data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. This figure mirrors the unemployment rate recorded in September 2023 and marks a slight decrease compared to 6.6% in October 2022.

Despite the stability in headline unemployment, the overall number of unemployed individuals in the euro area increased marginally by 48,000 to 11.134 million in October 2023 compared to September 2023. This increase was primarily driven by a rise in female unemployment, which climbed to 6.4% from 6.3% in September 2023. Male unemployment remained steady at 6.2%.

The youth unemployment rate, defined as the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15-24, experienced a slight uptick in October 2023. The rate reached 14.9% in the euro area, compared to 14.6% in September 2023. This translates to an increase of 44,000 unemployed young people in the euro area between September and October 2023.

The European Union as a whole mirrored the euro area’s overall unemployment trend. In October 2023, the EU’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.0% compared to September 2023, though it represents a decrease from 6.1% in October 2022. The total number of unemployed individuals in the EU increased by 71,000 to 13.171 million in October 2023 compared to September 2023.

The latest unemployment figures reflect the ongoing labour market recovery across the euro area and the EU. While unemployment rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, the gradual decline and overall stability in unemployment figures indicate a positive trajectory for the region’s labour market.

The following table shows the unemployment rate in the EU for October 2023, based on the image you provided:
| Country | Unemployment rate (%) |

| Belgium | 5.6 |
| Bulgaria | 4.4 |
| Czechia | 2.9 |
| Denmark | 5.4 |
| Germany | 3.1 |
| Estonia | 6.3 |
| Ireland | 4.8 |
| France | 7.3 |
| Croatia | 6.5 |
| Italy | 7.8 |
| Cyprus | 5.8 |
| Latvia | 6.5 |
| Lithuania | 6.5 |
| Luxembourg | 5.5 |
| Hungary | 4.1 |
| Malta | 2.5 |
| Netherlands | 3.6 |
| Austria | 5.1 |
| Poland | 2.8 |
| Portugal | 6.7 |
| Romania | 5.4 |
| Slovenia | 4.1 |
| Slovakia | 5.8 |
| Finland | 7.3 |
| Sweden | 8.0 |
| EU average | 6.0 |