How to read it
Dispersion equals the highest unemployment rate minus the lowest rate. A wider range shows larger differences between European labor markets.
Benchmark · monthly · pp
European labor-market dispersion
How wide is the spread between European labor markets?
European labor-market dispersion tracks maximum-minus-minimum unemployment rates. It uses monthly data.
European labor-market dispersion tracks maximum-minus-minimum unemployment rates. It uses monthly data.
- Headline dispersion
- +7.3 pp
- Youth dispersion
- +18.8 pp
- Three-month headline change
- −0.3 pp
- from +7.6 pp
- Highest unemployment
- 10.3%
- Lowest unemployment
- 3.0%
European labor-market dispersion
Headline dispersion
Youth dispersion
| Series | First | Latest | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headline dispersion | 14.80 | 7.30 | 6.60 | 23.40 |
| Youth dispersion | 32.30 | 18.80 | 13.10 | 53.10 |
How this is calculated
Maximum-minus-minimum unemployment ratesPIER20 calculates this benchmark from official observations from Eurostat. The formula is maximum-minus-minimum unemployment rates. The source table lists each selector and source link.
The latest data is from June 2026. The latest reading is 7.30 pp. The Headline dispersion line is down 0.6 pp over the past year. It is below its long-run median of 14.55 pp.
How to read it
How this benchmark is used
Why traders watch it
Traders use this benchmark to compare labor-market differences across Europe.
Frequently asked questions
4 answersWhat is the latest reading for European labor-market dispersion?
The latest data is from June 2026. The latest reading is 7.30 pp. The Headline dispersion line is down 0.6 pp over the past year. It is below its long-run median of 14.55 pp.
How often does this benchmark update?
The source publishes monthly data. PIER20 updates the page after each new observation. The chart shows the data date and fetch date.
What data sources does this chart use?
Eurostat publishes the data. The methodology section lists each source series.
Where does the data come from?
Eurostat publishes the source data. The source table lists each series and its exact link.