Ireland has reported the highest relative increase in unemployment in the euro-zone, according to figures released by Eurostat - the Statistical Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg - this morning.
However, Ireland also had one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the EU.
In the last twelve months, Ireland reported an increase in unemployment of 3.7 to 4.4 per cent, followed by Austria 3.4 to 4.0, Luxembourg 2.0 to 2.2 per cent and Portugal 4.0 to 4.4 per cent.
Euro-zone seasonally-adjusted unemployment rose to 8.3 per cent in April 2002 from 8.2 per cent in March, Eurostat - It was 8.0 per cent in April 2001.
The EU15 unemployment rate was 7.6 per cent in April compared to 7.5 per cent in March. It was 7.4 per cent in April 2001.
In April 2002, lowest rates were registered in Luxembourg (2.2 per cent), the Netherlands (2.7 per cent in March), Austria (4.0 per cent), Denmark (4.1 per cent in March), Portugal and Ireland (4.4 per cent each). Spain, at 11.3 per cent remains the highest in the EU.
In April 2002 compared to April 2001, the unemployment rate for men in the euro-zone grew from 6.7 per cent to 7.0 per cent, and the female unemployment rate rose from 9.8 per cent to 10.0 per cent.
Eurostat estimates that, in April 2002, 11.5 million men and women were unemployed in the euro-zone and 13.3 million in the EU15. These are seasonally-adjusted figures in line with ILO criteria.
The monthly unemployment rate and numbers of unemployed are estimates based on results of the Community Labour Force Survey (LFS).