Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS2750
2007-08-31 13:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USEU Brussels
Cable title:  

EU UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 6.8 PERCENT IN

Tags:  ELAB EUN 
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VZCZCXRO6070
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBS #2750/01 2431343
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311343Z AUG 07
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
RUEHC/DOL WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 002750 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOL FOR BLS AND ILAB
TREASURY FOR IMI
STATE FOR DRL/IL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EUN
SUBJECT: EU UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 6.8 PERCENT IN
JULY 2007; EUROZONE RATE STABLE AT 6.9 PERCENT


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 002750

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOL FOR BLS AND ILAB
TREASURY FOR IMI
STATE FOR DRL/IL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EUN
SUBJECT: EU UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 6.8 PERCENT IN
JULY 2007; EUROZONE RATE STABLE AT 6.9 PERCENT



1. SUMMARY. The aggregate unemployment rate for
the EU-27 reached 6.8 percent in July 2007,
according to data published by the EU Commission's
Statistical Office (EUROSTAT) on August 31.
Unemployment in the eurozone (the thirteen EU
countries participating in the euro) stood at 6.9
percent. END SUMMARY.


2. With seasonal adjustment and compensation for
differences in national statistical methods, the
unemployment rate in the EU-27 stood at 6.8 percent
in July 2007, down from 6.9 percent in June 2007 and
from 7.9 percent in July 2008. The unemployment
rate for the eurozone stood at 6.9 percent in July
2007, unchanged in comparison to the previous month
and down from 7.8 percent in July 2006.


3. The country-by-country analysis revealed a more
nuanced picture. The lowest rates compiled from the
EU-27 for July 2007 were recorded in Denmark (3.2
percent),the Netherlands (3.4 percent),Cyprus (4.1
percent) and Austria (4.3 percent). The highest
rates were recorded in Slovakia (10.6 percent) and
Poland (9.7 percent).


4. EUROSTAT noted that twenty-three countries among
the EU-27 recorded a decrease in their unemployment
rate over a year and four an increase. The most
significant decreases (July-to-July comparison)
occurred in Bulgaria (from 9.4 percent to 6.6
percent) and Poland (from 13.6 percent to 9.7
percent). The highest relative increases were
recorded in Portugal (from 7.5 percent to 8.2
percent) and Ireland (from 4.4 percent to 4.7
percent).


5. Based on EUROSTAT estimates, male unemployment
reached 6.1 percent in July 2007 for the EU-27 and
5.8 percent for the euro zone, down by 1.0
percentage point and 0.9 percentage point
respectively when compared to July 2006. The female
rate over the same period decreased to 7.8 percent
for the EU-27 (minus 1.0 percentage point) and to
8.3 percent for the euro zone (minus 0.9 percentage
point).


6. Unemployment rates among young people under 25
(July 2007 estimates, unless otherwise noted) ranged
from 6.2 percent in Denmark, 7.2 percent in the
Netherlands and 8.2 percent in Austria to 24.6
percent in Greece (first quarter of 2007),21.9
percent in France, 20.2 percent in Italy (first
quarter of 2007) and 20.0 in Poland. The rate for
this age group in July 2007 was estimated at 15.4
percent for the EU-27 and 15.2 percent for the euro
zone, compared to 17.3 percent (minus 1.9 percentage
point) and 16.3 percent (minus 1.1 percentage point)
respectively in July 2006.


7. EUROSTAT estimated that 16.0 million were
unemployed in the EU-27 in July 2007 (10.4 million
in the euro zone). Following is the breakdown of
unemployment rates in ascending order for the
individual EU member states:

(Seasonally-adjusted)
(July 2007 unless otherwise indicated)

Denmark 3.2
Netherlands 3.4
Cyprus 4.1
Austria 4.3
Ireland 4.7
Lithuania 4.7
Luxembourg 4.9
Slovenia 5.1
Sweden 5.2 (provisional)
UK 5.3 (May 2007)
Estonia 5.4
Czech Republic 5.5
Latvia 5.6
Italy 6.1 (first quarter 2007)
Malta 6.3
Germany 6.4 (provisional)
Bulgaria 6.6
Finland 6.8

BRUSSELS 00002750 002 OF 002


Romania 6.9
Belgium 7.5
Hungary 7.7
Spain 8.0
Portugal 8.2
France 8.5 (see note below)
Greece 8.6 (first quarter 2007)
Poland 9.7
Slovakia 10.6
Euro zone 6.9
EU-27 6.8

Note: Estimates for France are based on results of
the Labor Force Survey that are provisional and may
be subject to revision later this year.


8. The monthly rates and numbers of unemployed are
estimated and based on data from the EU labor force
survey. The estimated rates may differ from
national unemployment rates due to differences in
methods and definitions of unemployment. Unemployed
people according to ILO criteria are those aged 15
and over who:

-- Are without work;

-- Are available to start work within the next two
weeks; and

-- Have actively sought employment at some time
during the previous four weeks.

Murray