# European labor-market dispersion | PIER20 benchmarks

How wide is the spread between European labor markets?

European labor-market dispersion tracks maximum-minus-minimum unemployment rates. It uses monthly data.

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.

## Summary statistics (full history)

| 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 |
| Highest unemployment | 19.30 | 10.30 | 10.20 | 28.30 |
| Lowest unemployment | 4.50 | 3.00 | 1.70 | 5.30 |

## Last 24 readings

| Date | Headline dispersion | Youth dispersion | Highest unemployment | Lowest unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | 8.70 | 20.10 | 11.40 | 2.70 |
| Aug 2024 | 8.60 | 19.70 | 11.30 | 2.70 |
| Sep 2024 | 8.30 | 19.30 | 11.10 | 2.80 |
| Oct 2024 | 8.30 | 18.80 | 10.90 | 2.60 |
| Nov 2024 | 8.00 | 18.70 | 10.80 | 2.80 |
| Dec 2024 | 8.20 | 19.00 | 10.80 | 2.60 |
| Jan 2025 | 8.30 | 20.40 | 10.80 | 2.50 |
| Feb 2025 | 8.00 | 19.40 | 10.80 | 2.80 |
| Mar 2025 | 8.20 | 19.20 | 10.80 | 2.60 |
| Apr 2025 | 7.90 | 18.00 | 10.60 | 2.70 |
| May 2025 | 7.80 | 18.30 | 10.60 | 2.80 |
| Jun 2025 | 7.90 | 20.00 | 10.50 | 2.60 |
| Jul 2025 | 8.10 | 18.90 | 10.60 | 2.50 |
| Aug 2025 | 8.00 | 18.80 | 10.50 | 2.50 |
| Sep 2025 | 7.70 | 18.80 | 10.40 | 2.70 |
| Oct 2025 | 7.20 | 21.00 | 10.20 | 3.00 |
| Nov 2025 | 7.40 | 20.90 | 10.50 | 3.10 |
| Dec 2025 | 7.30 | 20.90 | 10.40 | 3.10 |
| Jan 2026 | 7.30 | 21.40 | 10.30 | 3.00 |
| Feb 2026 | 7.60 | 21.50 | 10.60 | 3.00 |
| Mar 2026 | 7.60 | 21.50 | 10.50 | 2.90 |
| Apr 2026 | 7.70 | 17.50 | 10.60 | 2.90 |
| May 2026 | 7.90 | 19.30 | 10.80 | 2.90 |
| Jun 2026 | 7.30 | 18.80 | 10.30 | 3.00 |

## How to read this benchmark

**How to read it.** Dispersion equals the highest unemployment rate minus the lowest rate. A wider range shows larger differences between European labor markets.

## How this benchmark is used

**Why traders watch it.** Traders use this benchmark to compare labor-market differences across Europe.

## Frequently asked questions

**What 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.

## Methodology

- Formula: Maximum-minus-minimum unemployment rates
- Frequency: Monthly
- Sources: Headline dispersion (headline-dispersion) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/une_rt_m?freq=M&s_adj=SA&age=TOTAL&unit=PC_ACT&sex=T&geo=BE; Youth dispersion (youth-dispersion) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/une_rt_m?freq=M&s_adj=SA&age=TOTAL&unit=PC_ACT&sex=T&geo=BE; Highest unemployment (highest-unemployment) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/une_rt_m?freq=M&s_adj=SA&age=TOTAL&unit=PC_ACT&sex=T&geo=BE; Lowest unemployment (lowest-unemployment) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/une_rt_m?freq=M&s_adj=SA&age=TOTAL&unit=PC_ACT&sex=T&geo=BE. Data via Eurostat.
- Data through: June 2026
- Last refreshed: 11 Aug 2026

Full interactive chart: https://pier20.com/benchmarks/european-labour-market-dispersion
Disclaimer: research software output, not investment advice.