Unemployment Rate Trends Mixed Across European Countries

Germany and Japan Unemployment Lower than in Pre-Recession Period

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Mar 13, 2014, 10:00 ET

NEW YORK, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In January, unemployment rate trends were mixed across European countries, according to unemployment rates and employment growth data compiled and standardized by The Conference Board International Labor Comparisons (ILC) program. Unemployment increased in Italy (from 12.8 to 13.0 percent), France (from 9.9 to 10.0 percent), and Sweden (from 8.0 to 8.1 percent), remained stable in the Netherlands (7.1 percent), and decreased in Germany (from 5.1 to 5.0 percent).

In Germany, unemployment has held steady or declined since July 2009, resulting in record low joblessness in January. Unemployment in the U.S. and Japan has also been on a downward trend over the past year.

"In both Germany and Japan, unemployment rates are lower now than they were in the pre-recession period," said Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist with the International Labor Comparisons program at The Conference Board. "This trend is due partly to recent economic recovery and partly to the shrinking working age population in these countries."

While employment in January increased in both the U.S. and Canada, employment growth in Europe was mixed. The number of persons employed grew in Germany and Sweden, remained stable in Italy, and fell in the Netherlands and France.

About Adjusted Employment Data and International Labor Comparisons (ILC)
Governments vary in the methods and definitions used to calculate labor force statistics. To facilitate comparison across countries, The Conference Board adjusts unemployment rates and employment indexes to match U.S. concepts. A monthly report compiles adjusted data for ten countries, alongside unadjusted unemployment rates from ten additional economies in Europe. All data is seasonally adjusted; employment indexes are benchmarked to January 2007 (= 100).

The data is published as part of The Conference Board International Labor Comparisons program. Formerly a division of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILC is dedicated to producing economic indicators that optimize research, comparison, and planning in a global context.

For more information about The Conference Board ILC program:
www.conference-board.org/ilcprogram

For the associated report, tables, and technical notes:
www.conference-board.org/ilcprogram/laborforcemonthly.

About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is an independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org.

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