Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus recorded a decline in unemployment in February 2026, even as joblessness in the euro area rose slightly month-on-month, according to Eurostat. The figures showed Cyprus continued to improve year-on-year in both rate and total unemployed.
Cyprus labour market figures
Cyprus’ unemployment rate stood at 4.20 per cent in February 2026, down from 4.50 per cent in February 2025. In absolute terms, the number of unemployed in Cyprus fell to approximately 22,000 people in February 2026 from approximately 23,000 a year earlier.
Euro area and EU unemployment rates
Across the euro area, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reached 6.20 per cent in February 2026, rising from 6.10 per cent in January 2026 but declining from 6.30 per cent in February 2025.
For the European Union as a whole, the unemployment rate stood at 5.90 per cent in February 2026, unchanged compared with the previous month and down from 6.00 per cent a year earlier.
Total unemployed and monthly changes
Eurostat estimated that total EU unemployment amounted to approximately 13,118,000 people in February 2026, of whom 10,919,000 were in the euro area.
Compared with January 2026, unemployment increased by 137,000 in the EU and by 93,000 in the euro area.
Year-on-year comparison and youth unemployment
On an annual basis, unemployment fell by 18,000 in the EU and by 124,000 in the euro area.
Youth unemployment remained higher, with 2,957,000 people under the age of 25 unemployed across the EU in February 2026, including 2,373,000 in the euro area.
How do you think Cyprus can sustain the decline in unemployment as broader euro area figures fluctuate?
