The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.3% in May 2017, stable compared to April 2017 and down from 10.2% in May 2016. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since March 2009. The EU28 unemployment rate was 7.8% in May 2017, stable compared to April 2017 and down from 8.7% in May 2016. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since December 2008. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Eurostat estimates that 19.115 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 15.034 million in the euro area, were unemployed in May 2017. Compared with April 2017, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 22 000 in the EU28 and by 5 000 in the euro area. Compared with May 2016, unemployment fell by 2.122 million in the EU28 and by 1.428 million in the euro area.