The European Union’s labour market reached a new milestone in 2025, with employment climbing to its highest level in over a decade. According to newly released data from

Eurostat, 76.1% of people aged 20 to 64 — around 197.7 million individuals — were in work, marking the strongest performance since records began in 2009.

This represents a modest but steady improvement, with the employment rate rising by 0.3 percentage points compared to 2024 and by 0.8 points from 2023. The figures reflect a resilient jobs market across much of the bloc, despite ongoing economic uncertainties.

Strong performers and struggling economies

Employment levels vary significantly across EU member states. Countries such as Malta (83.6%), the Netherlands (83.4%), and Czechia (82.9%) lead the rankings, demonstrating robust labour markets and high workforce participation.

At the other end of the spectrum, southern and eastern countries continue to lag behind. Italy recorded the lowest employment rate at 67.6%, followed by Romania (69.0%) and Greece (71.0%), highlighting persistent structural challenges in these economies.

Gender gap remains a key issue

Despite overall progress, disparities between men and women in the workforce remain evident. Across the EU, 80.9% of men were employed in 2025, compared to 71.3% of women — a gap of 9.6 percentage points.

The gender divide is particularly pronounced in countries like Italy, Romania, and Greece, where differences exceed 17 percentage points. In contrast, the gap is minimal or even reversed in countries such as Estonia and Lithuania, where female employment slightly surpasses male participation.

Unemployment in the EU: a complementary picture

While employment is rising, unemployment trends provide additional context. In 2025, the EU’s unemployment rate hovered around historically low levels, generally estimated at approximately 6% or slightly below, depending on seasonal adjustments. This marks a continued recovery from the spikes seen during earlier economic disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, unemployment remains unevenly distributed. Youth unemployment and long-term joblessness are still pressing concerns in several member states, particularly in southern Europe. Countries with lower employment rates often coincide with higher unemployment levels, underlining structural inefficiencies in labour markets.

A mixed but improving outlook

Overall, the EU’s labour market in 2025 presents a picture of gradual improvement and resilience. Record-high employment signals economic stability, yet disparities between countries and genders reveal that progress is far from uniform.

Bridging these gaps — particularly by improving access to jobs for women and boosting employment in underperforming regions — will be crucial for sustaining growth and ensuring a more inclusive labour market across the European Union. Photo Phil Whitehouse, Wikimedia commons.