Stable unemployment levels

Unemployment levels in Malta remained stable in August, although the 15-member euro area experienced a slight increase, according to new figures released by Eurostat in Brussels.

Malta's unemployment in August stood at 5.7 per cent, the same as in the previous month, while in the eurozone unemployment rose slightly by 0.1 per cent, reaching 7.5 per cent.

The EU's statistical arm said that, when compared to the previous month, Malta registered a decrease in unemployment among under-25s (10.9 to 10.7 per cent) and women, down to 6.5 per cent from 6.6 in July. Unemployment among males remained unchanged.

On an EU level, the lowest unemployment rates were registered in the Netherlands (2.6 per cent) and Denmark (2.9 per cent) and the highest in Spain (11.3 per cent) and Slovakia (9.9 per cent).

Compared with a year ago, 19 member states recorded a fall in their unemployment rate, while eight countries witnessed an increase.

The biggest fall was observed in Poland (9.2 to 6.7 per cent) and the highest increase in Spain (8.3 to 11.3 per cent).