Romania reported the most severe decline in the number of employees in the European Union in the third quarter of 2025, with a decrease of 1.2%

According to Eurostat data, Romania, along with Austria and Finland, reported the most severe decline in the number of employees in the European Union in the third quarter of 2025, with a decrease of 1.2%. In contrast, the number of employees increased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU compared to the previous quarter. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of employees increased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU.

Additionally, the number of hours worked increased by 0.4% in both areas. The most significant increases in employment were recorded in Croatia (1.6%), Portugal (0.9%), and Spain (0.7%). In total, in the third quarter of 2025, there were 220.6 million people employed in the EU, of which 172.2 million were in the euro area. Labor productivity increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU compared to the previous year.