Cyprus recorded a decline in unemployment in February 2026, even as joblessness in the euro area rose slightly month-on-month, according to a report from Eurostat.

Specifically, the figures showed that Cyprus unemployment rate stood at 4.20 per cent in February 2026, down from 4.50 per cent in February 2025, reflecting continued improvement in the country’s labour market.

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.

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.

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, indicating a short-term deterioration in labour market conditions.

On an annual basis, however, unemployment fell by 18,000 in the EU and by 124,000 in the euro area, pointing to a broader year-on-year improvement.

The figures suggest that while Cyprus continues to outperform the broader European trend, labour markets across the bloc remain subject to short-term fluctuations.

Youth unemployment remained significantly 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.

The youth unemployment rate rose to 15.30 per cent in the EU from 15.20 per cent in January, while in the euro area it stood at 14.90 per cent, unchanged month-on-month.

Compared with January 2026, youth unemployment increased by 18,000 in the EU and by 5,000 in the euro area.

On a yearly basis, youth unemployment rose by 5,000 in the EU but declined by 8,000 in the euro area, highlighting mixed trends across regions.

The data also showed differences in unemployment by gender, with the female unemployment rate in the EU increasing to 6.10 per cent in February 2026 from 6.00 per cent the previous month.

The male unemployment rate in the EU remained stable at 5.70 per cent over the same period.

In the euro area, the unemployment rate for women rose to 6.40 per cent from 6.30 per cent in January 2026, while the rate for men held steady at 6.00 per cent.

Despite the slight monthly uptick in euro area unemployment, the overall trend remains one of gradual stabilisation, with Cyprus maintaining a comparatively strong position within the bloc.

The latest figures underline the resilience of the Cypriot labour market, even as broader European indicators reflect ongoing adjustments.