Three places down: Malta had fifth lowest unemployment in the EU in May

Malta had the fifth lowest unemployment rate in May 2018 (3.9%), according to figures released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical agency.

Malta had, for a number of months, held the second lowest unemployment spot.

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 8.4 per cent in May 2018, stable compared to April 2018 and down from 9.2 per cent in May 2017. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since December 2008.

The EU28 unemployment rate was 7.0 per cent in May 2018, stable compared to April 2018 and down from 7.7 per cent in May 2017. This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since August 2008.

Among the member states, the lowest unemployment rates in May 2018 were recorded in the Czech Republic (2.3%) and Germany (3.4%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (20.1% in March 2018) and Spain (15.8%).

Eurostat estimates that 17.207 million men and women in the EU28 – 13.656 million in the euro area – were unemployed in May 2018. Compared to April 2018, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 154,000 in the EU28 and by 125,000 in the euro area. Compared to May 2017, unemployment fell by 1.828 million in the EU28 and by 1.252 million in the euro area.

Compared to a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in all member states. The largest decreases were registered in Cyprus (from 11.4% to 8.4%), Croatia (from 11.3% to 8.9%), Greece (from 22.1% to 20.1% between March 2017 and March 2018) and Portugal (from 9.2% to 7.3%).

In May 2018, the unemployment rate in the United States was 3.8 per cent, down from 3.9 per cent in April 2018and from 4.3 per cent in May2017.