EUROPE – EMPLOYMENT CLIMBS IN THE EURO AREA IN Q4

The number of persons employed increased by 1.1% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.0% in the EU28 in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the previous year, according to national accounts estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Compared with the previous quarter, employment increased by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU28 in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Eurostat estimates that, in the fourth quarter of 2016, 232.9 million men and women were employed in the EU28 (highest level ever recorded); of which 153.9 million were in the euro area (highest level since the third quarter of 2008). These figures are seasonally adjusted.

Over the whole year 2016, employment rose by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU28, compared with 1.0% and 1.1% respectively in 2015.

Eurostat states that the quarterly data on employment provide a picture of labour input consistent with the output and income measure of national accounts.

Among the member states, Malta (1.9%), Luxembourg and Cyprus (both 0.9%) recorded the highest increases in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the biggest decreases in employment were observed in Estonia (-1.5%), Greece (-0.9%), and Lithuania (-0.2%).

Source: staffingindustry.com