In October 2009, the youth unemployment rate (under-25s) was 20.6% in the euro area and 20.7% in the EU27. To compare with the data of previous month, September 2009, it has increased by 0.5%. In October last year it was 16.2% in both zones.

The lowest rate was observed in the Netherlands (7.2%), and the highest rates in Spain (42.9%) and Latvia (33.6%in the third quarter of 2009).

For the total active population, the euro area (EA16) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.8% in October 2009, the same as in September. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.3% in October 2009, compared with 9.2% in September.

More information: Eurostat news release

News published on the European Commission Youth website : http://ec.europa.eu/youth/