Unemployment rate in Finland remains highest in Europe

The unemployment rate in Finland increased to 10.5 percent in September this year, which was highest among the European countries, according to Eurostat.

The Eurostat data released on Friday showed that unemployment rate in Spain was second highest in Europe with 10.3 percent, followed by Sweden (8.7%), France (8.5%), Estonia (8%) and Greece (7.6%).

The unemployment rate was lowest in Czechia in September among the European countries with 2.8% followed by Poland, Malta and Bulgaria with 3.4% each and Slovenia with 3.6%.

In September 2026, the euro area seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.5%, stable compared with August 2026 and up from 6.3% in September 2025.

The EU unemployment rate was 6.2% in September 2026, also stable compared with August 2026 and up from 6.0% in September 2025.

Eurostat estimates that 13.773 million persons in the EU, of whom 11.555 million in the euro area, were unemployed in September 2026.

Compared with August 2026, unemployment increased by 105 thousand in the EU and by 122 thousand in the euro area.

Compared with September 2025, unemployment increased by 471 thousand in the EU and by 420 thousand in the euro area.

The unemployment rate in Finland was 10.3 percent in August this year, which was highest among the European countries.

In July, the unemployment rate in Finland was 10.5 percent, which was also highest among the European countries.