31.03.2022

DECLINE IN UNEMPLOYMENT IN BULGARIA AND THE EU IN FEBRUARY

Unemployment in the EU and Bulgaria declined in February as the European economy rebounded from the coronavirus crisis last month despite soaring energy prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, according to official Eurostat statistics.

Across the EU, the unemployment rate fell to 6.2% in February from 6.3% in January and well below the 7.5% level reached in February 2021.

Within the euro area, unemployment fell to a record low of 6.8% last month from 6.9% in January and well below 8.2% in February 2021. This is the lowest unemployment rate in the eurozone since 1998. - just before the launch of the euro in January 1999.

For Bulgaria, Eurostat data show that unemployment in February fell to 4.4% from 4.5% a month earlier and below 6% in February 2021.

According to European statistics, a total of 13.267 million Europeans, of whom 11.155 million from the euro area, were out of work in February, with a decrease of 221,000 in the EU and a decrease of 181,000 in the euro area compared to January.

Compared to a year earlier, unemployment in the EU fell in February by 2.568 million, and within the euro area - by 2.150 million.

According to Eurostat data, in February 2022 there were 144,000 unemployed in Bulgaria, down from 146,000 in January and compared to 197,000 unemployed in February 2021.