Sweden unemployment stable as EU reports dip
The EU has recorded the lowest jobless rate across the 28 nation bloc since 2012, with unemployment in Sweden remaining largely stable over the last three months.
The jobless rate in Sweden in February 2015 stayed at 7.8 percent, the same figure recorded each month since November 2014. A year ago the rate stood at 8.0 percent.
The figures suggest it is still marginally easier for women to find jobs in Sweden, with 7.7 percent seeking work compared with 8.0 percent of men.
Youth unemployment also remained stable albeit at the much higher rate of 22.2 percent, slightly down from 23 percent a year ago.
Europe’s average unemployment rate was 9.8 percent.
Euro area unemployment rate at 11.3% and EU at 9.8% in February 2015 #Eurostat http://t.co/THa1R9pr7M pic.twitter.com/7v4cy6IJ6C
— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) March 31, 2015
The figures emerged a day after an OECD report argued that Sweden has weathered the global economic crisis better than most countries but that falling school results, an inflexible labour market, and slow integration of immigrants remain a worry.
In getting to grips with stubbornly high youth unemployment, Sweden should “reduce the gap in employment protection between permanent and temporary contracts and increase flexibility in entry level wages," the report argued.
Comments
See Also
The jobless rate in Sweden in February 2015 stayed at 7.8 percent, the same figure recorded each month since November 2014. A year ago the rate stood at 8.0 percent.
The figures suggest it is still marginally easier for women to find jobs in Sweden, with 7.7 percent seeking work compared with 8.0 percent of men.
Youth unemployment also remained stable albeit at the much higher rate of 22.2 percent, slightly down from 23 percent a year ago.
Europe’s average unemployment rate was 9.8 percent.
Euro area unemployment rate at 11.3% and EU at 9.8% in February 2015 #Eurostat http://t.co/THa1R9pr7M pic.twitter.com/7v4cy6IJ6C
— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) March 31, 2015
The figures emerged a day after an OECD report argued that Sweden has weathered the global economic crisis better than most countries but that falling school results, an inflexible labour market, and slow integration of immigrants remain a worry.
In getting to grips with stubbornly high youth unemployment, Sweden should “reduce the gap in employment protection between permanent and temporary contracts and increase flexibility in entry level wages," the report argued.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.