Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus recorded a 0.4 per cent increase in its employment rate between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Eurostat figures. The increase placed Cyprus among the strongest performers in the European Union during the period.
Cyprus among top-performing member states
Cyprus was listed alongside Belgium, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Sweden, all of which registered employment rate growth of 0.4 per cent between the final quarter of 2025 and the opening quarter of 2026.
Italy recorded the highest increase among member states, with employment expanding by 0.5 per cent.
EU employment rate edges higher
Across the European Union, the employment rate for people aged 20 to 64 reached 76.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2026. This marked a slight increase from 76.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Eurostat said employment figures improved in 11 member states, while the rate remained unchanged in six countries.
Declines recorded in 10 countries
The data also showed falling employment rates in 10 member states. The largest declines were recorded in Latvia, down 0.8 per cent, and Ireland, down 0.7 per cent.
Slovenia and Finland each posted declines of 0.3 per cent, according to the report.
Labour market slack falls slightly
Eurostat also reported a slight reduction in labour market slack across the European Union. This measure covers all people with an unmet need for employment, including those who are unemployed.
Total labour market slack stood at 10.9 per cent of the extended labour force aged 20 to 64 in the first quarter of 2026.
