Malta posts second-lowest jobless rate in EU

Malta has achieved the second-lowest unemployment rate in the European Union, standing at just 0.7 per cent, according to the latest data from Eurostat.

This represents a remarkable contrast to the EU-wide average of 5.9 per cent, which, while significantly higher, still marks the bloc’s lowest rate since 2009.

Only the Netherlands performed better, with an unemployment rate of 0.5 per cent.

Czechia, Denmark, and Poland also performed strongly, each recording a low unemployment rate of 0.8 per cent, placing them just behind Malta in the EU rankings.

Greece reported the highest rate of long-term unemployment within the EU, with 5.4 per cent of its labour force affected. Spain and Slovakia followed, with rates of 3.8 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively.

The data focused on individuals aged 15 to 74, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the region’s labour market.

Youth Unemployment Trends

In 2024, the unemployment rate among 15 to 24 year-olds, rose by 0.4 percentage points from the previous year, reaching 14.9 per cent.

Unemployment rates in 2024 were notably lower for older age groups and showed slight improvements compared to the previous year.

Among individuals aged 25 to 54, the rate dipped to 5.4 per cent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points. For those aged 55 to 74, unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points, reaching 4.1 per cent.

Overall, the unemployment rate for the broader 15 to 74 age group declined from 6.1 per cent in 2023 to 5.9 per cent in 2024.