Long-term unemployment across the EU is now 1.9%, according to the latest Eurostat data, the lowest level since data collection began.
The Netherlands (0.5%), Malta (0.7%), the Czech Republic, Denmark and Poland (all at 0.8%) reported the lowest rates of people out of work for twelve months or more.
The highest proportion was found in Greece, 5.4%, followed by Spain (3.8%) and Slovakia (3.5%).
At the same time, these three countries all reported lower long-term unemployment rates compared to the previous year. Down 0.8% in Greece, 0.5% in Spain and 0.2% in Slovakia.
General unemployment also declined to the lowest rate on record, now down to less than 5.9%: A drop of 0.2% from 2023.
The data, however, paints a mixed picture. Unemployment is going down among all age groups, except for the youngest generation. Among people aged 15 to 24, it reached 14.9%, up 0.4% from 2023.
Fewer work chances for second-generation migrants
A new report by the International Labour Organisation highlights the additional hurdles second-generation migrants face in the job market.
"On average, being a second-generation migrant reduces the likelihood of labour market participation by 7.5% in the overall population", says the report, which covered 30 European countries, the US and Australia.
In Europe, the rate drops to -7.9%.
The deepest lows were reported in Denmark (-19.3%), Iceland (-28.6%), Norway (-23.4%) and Poland (-31.4%).
