Catherwood LibraryILR School

According to data released by Eurostat statistical company this morning, unemployment in Europe reached double digits in February, not an enormous increase, but a significant milestone nonetheless. The nations that use the Euro (sixteen in total) increased by 0.1%, from 9.9% unemployment to 10.0%, the highest rate since the summer of 1998. The nations of the European union as a whole (twenty-seven total) did not quite make it to double digits, the rate recorded as 9.6%. Unemployment numbers are not stable across the EU, but vary widely. The Netherlands remain around 4%, while Spain languishes around 18%. France sits right around the average, with an unemployment rate of 10.1%. Experts on the European Commission say the 'outlook is mixed' for the nations, but are hopeful that the rate of decrease in jobs is slowing.