STAT/12/91
15 June 2012
First estimate for the first quarter of 2012
Employment down by 0.2% in the euro area and stable in the EU27
-0.5% and -0.1% respectively compared with the first quarter of 2011
The number of persons employed decreased by 0.2% in the euro area1 (EA17) and remained stable in the EU271 in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the previous quarter, according to national accounts estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2011, employment fell by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27. These figures are seasonally adjusted.
The largest fall in employment was recorded in construction (-1.3% in the euro area and -0.8% in the EU27) and the highest increase in information & communication (+1.0% and +1.3% respectively).
Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, employment fell by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27 in the first quarter of 2012.
Eurostat estimates that, in the first quarter of 2012, 222.9 million men and women were employed in the EU27, of which 146.1 million in the euro area. These figures are seasonally adjusted.
These quarterly data on employment provide a picture of labour input consistent with the output and income measure of national accounts.
The euro area (EA17) includes Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.
The EU27 includes Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The Latvian statistical office has revised the employment data from the first quarter of 2011, based on the results of the latest census. For this reason 2011 data are currently not comparable with data of earlier years, and annual growth rates are therefore only published in this release from the first quarter of 2012.
Methodological information:
Estimates of employment in the European quarterly national accounts are compiled in accordance with the European System of Accounts 1995 (ESA95). National accounts measure employment alongside other variables such as GDP, output, compensation of employees, etc. ESA95 (chapter 11) defines employment in line with International Labour Organisation criteria.
Employment covers employees and self-employed working in resident production units (i.e. the domestic employment concept). Unless otherwise stated, all employment estimates in this release use persons as the measurement unit. ESA95 acknowledges other possible measures for employment: jobs, full-time equivalents and total hours worked.
The methodology used by Eurostat to estimate the European aggregates in this release is the same as for the European quarterly national accounts (for details see Eurostat press release 77/2006 of 14 June 2006, annex I). Estimates of employment in national accounts may differ from results of other statistics and surveys, in particular the labour force survey. For further details see press release 77/2006 of 14 June 2006, annex II. The estimate of first quarter of 2012 employment growth presented in this release is based on Member States’ data, as available. For this quarter it covers close to 100% of employment in both the euro area and the EU27.
More data on European quarterly national accounts are available on Eurostat's website ("Data" / "Economy and finance" / "National Accounts"). Additional general information on European national accounts is also available in the metadata files linked to the tables.
Release policy:
Eurostat publishes a first quarterly estimate of employment in national accounts 75 days after the end of the reference period (‘t+75 days’). A second estimate of employment after t+100 days is published in the Eurostat database, together with the third GDP estimate (scheduled for 4 July 2012).
Euro area and EU employment figures for earlier quarters are revised in both first and second employment estimates.
Issued by: Eurostat Press Office Tim ALLEN Tel: +352-4301-33 444 | For further information on data: Jenny RUNESSON Tel: +352-4301-36 130 |
Eurostat news releases on the internet: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
Selected Principal European Economic Indicators: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/euroindicators
Employment growth rates*
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EA17 | 0.2 | -0.2 | -0.3 | -0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | -0.2 | -0.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
EU27 | 0.2 | -0.2 | -0.1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | -0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Member States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Belgium | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bulgaria | -0.7 | -0.9 | 0.3 | -0.6 | -4.5 | -5.0 | -2.3 | -1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Czech Republic | 0.2 | 0.3 | -0.3 | -0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Denmark | 0.1 | 0.0 | -0.3 | -0.3 | -0.5 | -0.3 | -0.4 | -0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Germany | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estonia | 1.0 | 1.9 | -1.0 | 1.3 | 7.7 | 8.9 | 4.8 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ireland | 0.0 | -1.2 | 0.6 | c | -2.0 | -2.5 | -0.8 | c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greece** | : | : | : | : | -6.1p | -7.6p | -8.5p | -8.7p | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spain | -0.2 | -1.2 | -1.0 | -1.2 | -1.3 | -2.2 | -3.0 | -3.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
France | 0.2 | 0.0 | -0.1 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Italy | 0.4 | -0.3 | -0.2 | -0.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | -0.2 | -0.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cyprus | -0.3 | -0.3 | -0.4 | -0.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | -0.3 | -2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latvia2 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.7 | : | : | : | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lithuania | 1.7 | -1.9 | 0.7 | -0.8 | 4.3 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Luxembourg | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | : | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.7 | : | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hungary | 0.1 | 0.3 | -0.1 | -1.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | -1.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Malta | 0.5 | 0.9 | -0.4 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 1.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Netherlands | 0.1 | 0.1 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Poland | 0.4p | 0.3p | 0.3p | 0.8p | 1.0p | 0.4p | 0.6p | 2.5p | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portugal | -0.1 | -0.4 | -2.6 | -1.1 | -0.8 | -0.7 | -3.1 | -4.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Romania | : | : | : | : | -0.1 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Slovenia | -0.2 | -0.3 | -0.2 | -0.1 | -1.8 | -1.7 | -1.3 | -0.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Slovakia | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finland | 1.0 | -0.3 | 0.3 | -0.1 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sweden | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom | 0.1 | -0.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | -0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
EFTA countries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norway | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
: Data not available c: confidential p: provisional data
* Percentage change in the number of persons employed in resident production units compared with the previous quarter based on seasonally adjusted data. Percentage change compared with the same quarter of the previous year based on non-seasonally adjusted data.
** More information can be found on the website of the Greek Statistical Office:
T1 - TOTAL EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY
t/t-1 - PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER – SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
NACE Rev 2 | Total economy | Agriculture, forestry and fishing | Industry (mining, manufacturing, electricity, water and waste) | Of which: Manufacturing | Construction | Trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities | Information and communication | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Division | A | B, C, D and E | C | F | G, H and I | J | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EA17 | 0.2 | -0.2 | -0.3 | -0.2 | 0.6 | -0.6 | -0.8 | -0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | -0.3 | -0.1 | -0.1 | 0.0 | -0.2 | -0.2 | -0.5 | -1.6 | -1.5 | -1.3 | 0.6 | -0.2 | -0.5 | -0.2 | 0.7 | -0.4 | 0.3 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EU27 | 0.2 | -0.2 | -0.1 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | -1.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.2 | 0.1 | -0.2 | -0.3 | -0.2 | -0.2 | -0.9 | -0.9 | -0.8 | 0.5 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.2 | 0.8 | -0.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NACE Rev 2 | Financial and insurance activities | Real estate activities | Professional and support service activities | Administration and other public services | Arts, entertainment and other services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Division | K | L | M and N | O, P and Q | R, S, T and U | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EA17 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | -0.1 | -0.4 | -0.7 | 2.1 | -0.7 | 0.8 | -0.3 | 0.3 | -0.6 | -0.1 | 0.1 | -0.1 | 0.0 | -0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EU27 | -0.2 | -0.4 | 0.0 | 0.3 | -0.4 | -0.2 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.5 | -0.6 | -0.2 | -0.2 | 0.0 | -0.1 | -0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T2 - TOTAL EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY
t/t-4 - PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR – NON-SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
NACE Rev 2 | Total economy | Agriculture, forestry and fishing | Industry (mining, manufacturing, electricity, water and waste) | Of which: Manufacturing | Construction | Trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities | Information and communication | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Division | A | B, C, D and E | C | F | G, H and I | J | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EA17 | 0.4 | 0.2 | -0.2 | -0.5 | -2.0 | -1.8 | -2.9 | -1.2 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | -0.4 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | -0.5 | -3.0 | -4.1 | -5.0 | -4.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | -0.1 | -0.3 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EU27 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | -0.1 | -0.9 | -0.9 | -2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | -0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | -0.4 | -2.6 | -3.1 | -3.7 | -3.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NACE Rev 2 | Financial and insurance activities | Real estate activities | Professional and support service activities | Administration and other public services | Arts, entertainment and other services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Division | K | L | M and N | O, P and Q | R, S, T and U | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EA17 | -0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.4 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 0.1 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | -0.1 | -0.1 | -0.5 | -0.1 | -0.7 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EU27 | 0.1 | -0.4 | -0.5 | 0.1 | -0.8 | -1.6 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 0.3 | -0.2 | -0.6 | -0.6 | -0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
