Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

James Horan/Photocall Ireland

Over 26 million people in the EU were unemployed last month

Compared with May last year, the rate of unemployment has increased in 17 member states and fallen in ten.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE in the euro area rose again in May, bringing the total number of people unemployed in the EU to over 26.4 million.

The level of unemployment increased to 12.1 per cent in the euro area, up slightly from 12 per cent the previous month, according to new data from Eurostat.

In the 27 EU countries, the unemployment rate was 10.9 per cent, stable compared with the previous month. In both zones, rates have risen markedly compared with May last year, Eurostat said, when they were 11.3 per cent and 10.4 per cent respectively.

It is estimated that 26.41 million men and women in the EU were unemployed in May 2013, an increase of 16,000 on April. Some 5.5 million young people were unemployed in the EU, though this is a fall of 77,000 compared to the same month last year.

Spain and Greece had the highest unemployment rates, both with levels over 26 per cent. The member states with the lowest rates were Austria, Germany and Luxembourg.

In Ireland, there was an extra four people unemployed in May compared with April.

The new data shows that, compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate increased in 17 member states and fell in ten.

Read: Youth unemployment tops the agenda as EU leaders head to Brussels>
Read: Government announces 6,000 extra third-level places for the unemployed>
Read: Kids of unemployed and depressed parents more likely to be absent from class>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
20 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute anto Byrne
    Favourite anto Byrne
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 2:37 PM

    An absolute disgrace I have to sell yokes to keep me afloat.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rick MacRory
    Favourite Rick MacRory
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 2:52 PM

    And the majority of fools will still blame our government . Its world wide recession. Foolish fools

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NidgeWeasel
    Favourite NidgeWeasel
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 3:00 PM

    No recession in my gaf.

    41
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Flippermac
    Favourite Flippermac
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 3:32 PM

    Dont forget to welcome all the unemployment from Croatia

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby Murray
    Favourite Bobby Murray
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 5:16 PM

    @ Rick, “foolish fools” I never heard of an intelligent fool, only a politicians fool and that is you and your “foolish” comments!

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Newell
    Favourite Tom Newell
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 5:25 PM

    Yes rick the unemployment is all down to a world wide recession not mistakes made by governments and banks and greed and idiot decisions

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny Rigley
    Favourite Jonny Rigley
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 8:55 PM

    What I’d like to see is the unemployment figures if Germany was excluded. I’d say that would give the figure a good jump

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute itchy willy
    Favourite itchy willy
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 3:51 PM

    Vote for the Lisbon Treaty – vote for Jobs

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute grease lightening
    Favourite grease lightening
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 5:30 PM

    What do you mean a No vote? Ve vant a Yes vote!

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall
    Favourite Niall
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 2:43 PM

    An extra 4 unemployed people in Ireland? Ha!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby Murray
    Favourite Bobby Murray
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 5:27 PM

    “26 million people in the EU unemployed” not to worry, they are welcome in Ireland and they can get Social Welfare, free housing, children’s allowance (no need to uproot your children), free medical, travel pass and anything you can think of that theIrish who were self employed are not entitled too! Immigrants get priority! If you feel you are not getting your entitlements when you arrive on these shores, just shout racism and you are entitled to free legal representation too.
    All welcome even if you are not European!

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Green
    Favourite Jack Green
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 6:19 PM

    Is your social welfare open for abuse? Are you that thick as a nation? Cannot sort it out? Ask for help,ask Germany.Angela Merkel will be more than happy to help ye,she will knock the common sense in your heads

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marko Burns
    Favourite Marko Burns
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 2:54 PM

    4 people? Malcolm Tucker has been massaging the DOSAC figures again.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cipiatone
    Favourite Cipiatone
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 5:31 PM

    This austerity thing is working a treat!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FlopFlipU
    Favourite FlopFlipU
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 3:43 PM

    Good grief

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pete Foley
    Favourite Pete Foley
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 5:44 PM

    Plus one more if they take any more money from me.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute murphy 11
    Favourite murphy 11
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 6:58 PM

    Bet seasonally adjusted figures show about 750,000 unemployed.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute noel beggs
    Favourite noel beggs
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 8:11 PM

    Wait till Albania get in. God help us

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute grease lightening
    Favourite grease lightening
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 6:37 PM

    Anyone hear David Norris’s speech today? Worth a listen!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Green
    Favourite Jack Green
    Report
    Jul 1st 2013, 6:18 PM

    Is your social welfare open for abuse? Are you that thick as a nation? Cannot sort it out? Ask for help,ask Germany.Angela Merkel will be more than happy to help ye,she will knock the common sense in your heads.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds