In the third quarter of 2026, the number of employed people in the eurozone remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous three months. At the same time, GDP grew by 0.4%.
According to the preliminary estimate from Eurostat published on November 13. The quarterly change in employment was 0.0% after a 0.1% increase in the second quarter. The quarter-on-quarter comparison is seasonally adjusted.
With employment virtually unchanged for the quarter, the number of employed people was 0.4% higher than in July–September last year. In the European Union as a whole, employment also barely changed over the quarter and increased by 0.4% year-on-year.
The employment indicator here reflects the number of people in employment, including employees and the self-employed. It is not the number of vacancies, new employment contracts or hours worked. A virtually unchanged total can combine hiring in some companies and layoffs in others.
The eurozone GDP estimate remained the same as in the release of October 30. Growth slowed from 0.6% in the second quarter to 0.4% in the third. In the EU as a whole, the economy grew 0.5% after 0.7% in the previous quarter. The new part of the November publication is primarily employment data.
Thus, the output increase in the third quarter was not accompanied by a notable rise in employment. To assess labour market changes in more detail, data for individual countries, industries and hours worked are also needed.
Eurostat has so far published a flash estimate of total employment. More detailed national accounts statistics include hours worked and an industry breakdown. The next scheduled release with updated GDP and employment for the third quarter is due on December 7; current estimates may be revised.
Based on: Eurostat release of November 13, GDP estimate of October 30, employment statistics methodology.
