The job vacancy rate declined in the second half to 2.2% in the eurozone and 2.1% in the European Union (EU), according to data released today by Eurostat.
In the euro area, the rate of 2.2% compares to 2.6% year-on-year and 2.45% recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
Across the 27 member states, according to the European statistical service, job vacancies decreased to 2.1%, both compared to 2.4% and 2.2% recorded between January and March.
Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, the job vacancy rate increased in five member states, remained stable in three, and decreased in 19 countries.
Increases were observed in Cyprus (0.3 percentage points – pp), Lithuania and Malta (both 0.2 pp), followed by Bulgaria and Estonia (0.1 pp each).
Excluding the Czech Republic, affected by a methodological break in the first quarter of 2025, the largest decreases were recorded in Greece (-0.9 pp), Finland (-0.7 pp), followed by Germany and Austria (both -0.6 pp).
Compared to the first quarter, the highest job vacancy rates in the second quarter of 2025 were recorded in the Netherlands (4.2%) and Belgium (3.9%), followed by Austria (3.4%), Cyprus (3.3%), and Malta (3.2%).
The lowest rates were observed in Romania (0.6%), Spain and Poland (both at 0.8%), followed by Bulgaria (0.9%).
In Portugal, the job vacancy rate was 2.1% year-on-year and 1.4% quarter-on-quarter.
