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Euro area unemployment held at 6.5% in September 2026

Eurostat says the euro area's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 6.5% in September 2026, unchanged from August and up from 6.3% a year earlier. The EU rate was 6.2%.

By FTC Editorial TeamPublished 1 min read

The euro area's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.5% in September 2026, stable compared with August and up from 6.3% in September 2025, Eurostat said on 30 October 2026 (Eurostat: Euro area unemployment at 6.5%). The EU rate was 6.2%, also stable on the month and up from 6.0% a year earlier.

Euro area unemployment held at 6.5% in September 2026 — moving average crossover diagram
A fast moving average crossing a slower one

Key figures

  • Euro area, September: 6.5%, unchanged from August
  • Euro area, September 2025: 6.3%
  • EU, September: 6.2%, unchanged from August
  • EU, September 2025: 6.0%
Euro area unemployment held at 6.5% in September 2026 — central bank rate path diagram
A central bank's policy rate path across recent meetings

Reading it

Unemployment tends to turn after growth slows, so a stable rate fits the ECB's description of a labour market that has not yet responded to the energy shock. The bank's statement on 29 October said wages do not show a material response at this stage (the ECB's 29 October decision). For the August reading, see euro area unemployment in August. For how jobs data move the euro, see what moves EUR/USD.

Euro area unemployment held at 6.5% in September 2026 — risk-reward diagram
A risk-reward ratio of 1 to 2

Sources

  1. Eurostat: Euro area unemployment at 6.5% (30 October 2026)

Common questions

What was the euro area unemployment rate in September 2026?

6.5%, stable compared with August 2026, according to Eurostat.

Why can Eurostat's figures differ from national data?

Eurostat uses one harmonised definition for every member state so the countries can be compared, which can differ from the figures each national statistics office publishes.

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