EU workforce hits 214 million mark

A total of 214 million people aged 15 and over had a job or were involved in a business activity in the EU27 last year.

The employment rate for people aged 15 to 64 was 64.4 per cent, compared with 62.2 per cent in 2000 and 63.4 per cent in 2005.

The employment rate for women was 57.2 per cent, compared with 53.7 per cent in 2000 and 56 per cent in 2005. The rate for older people - those aged 55 to 64 - was 43.5 per cent, up from 36.9 per cent in 2000 and 42.2 per cent in 2005.

This information is included in a report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Communities, based on the results of the 2006 Labour Force Survey.