In April, unemployment in the euro area kept the March level at 8.5%, which is the lowest since December 2008, the Statistical Office of Eurostat reported. Experts predicted the figure at 8.4%. In the European Union, unemployment was 7.1%, as well as in March. This is the lowest level since September 2008. In April, the EU had 17 million 462 thousand unemployed, of which 13 million 880 thousand - in the euro area. Compared to the previous month, the lowest unemployment rate among the EU countries was registered in the Czech Republic – 2.2%, and Malta - 3%. The highest rate was recorded in Greece – 20.8%, and Spain - 15.9%. In annual terms, unemployment declined in all EU countries, except Italy, where it remained at 11.2%, and Estonia, where growth was recorded to 5.6%.
