Unemployment in Romania rose slightly in August to 7.1 percent, according to the latest figures from EU statistics division Eurostat. The seasonally adjusted figures for Romania showed a 0.1 percent increase from the 7 percent unemployment rate recorded in July of this year. Compared to August 2011, the unemployment rate has fallen by 0.4 percent. In the last seven months, the number of people out of work in Romania has stayed fairly constant with a maximum unemployment rate of 7.3 percent recorded in June and a minimum of 7 percent in July.

The unemployment rate in the EU 27 and the eurozone remained constant for the third consecutive month. The average rate for the EU 27 was again 10.5 percent, while the 11.4 percent rate for the eurozone was also the same as in June and July this year. Compared to August 2011, the rate in the eurozone has risen by 1.2 percent from 10.2 percent out of work last year. Average unemployment in the EU 27 was also up against last year, but by a more modest 0.8 percent from the 9.7 percent recorded in August 2011.

Looking at the individual countries, fluctuations in the unemployment rates were nearly all around the 0.1 percent mark. Of the available results, Spain recorded the highest unemployment rate – 25.1 percent, but Greece's rate would probably be similar if it was available. At the other end of the spectrum, Austria's unemployment rate was the lowest, just 4.5 percent.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

(photo source: sxc.hu)