Euro zone seasonally adjusted unemployment stood at 8.4 per cent in November 2002, the statistical office of the European Communities said today.
The EU15 unemployment rate was 7.7 per cent in November 2002, unchanged compared to October 3rd, Eurostat reported. It was 7.4 per cent in November 2001.
In November 2002, lowest rates were registered in Luxembourg (2.6 per cent), The Netherlands (2.9 per cent in October), Austria (4.1 per cent), Ireland (4.4 per cent), and Denmark (4.7 per cent in October). Spain, at 11.8 per cent, has the EU's highest rate.
In November 2002 compared to November 2001, the unemployment rate for males in the euro zone grew from 6.8 per cent to 7.4 per cent, and the female unemployment rate rose from 9.6 per cent to 9.8 per cent.
In November 2002, the unemployment rate for under-25s was 16.2 per cent in the Euro zone and 15.1 per cent in the EU15, compared to 15.7 per cent and 14.7 per cent, respectively, in November 2001.