Malta had one of the lowest long-term unemployment rates in the EU last year, according to new Eurostat data, as joblessness across the bloc hit its lowest level since records began.

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In 2024, the EU’s overall unemployment rate dropped to 5.9% — the lowest since the start of the time series in 2009. Long-term unemployment also fell to a historic low of 1.9% of the labour force.

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Malta stood out with a long-term unemployment rate of just 0.7%, second only to the Netherlands (0.5%) and ahead of Czechia, Denmark and Poland (all 0.8%).

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At the other end of the scale, Greece reported the highest long-term unemployment rate at 5.4%, followed by Spain (3.8%) and Slovakia (3.5%).

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Despite the positive trends for older workers and the general population, youth unemployment remains high across the EU. Some 15% of people aged 15 to 24 were unemployed in 2024, up 0.4 percentage points from the previous year.

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In comparison, those aged 25–54 had an unemployment rate of 5.4%, while the rate for older workers aged 55–74 was 4.1%, both slightly down from 2023.

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Malta has consistently ranked among the best-performing EU countries on employment in recent years, with robust economic growth and strong labour market participation. But the data also raises questions about how well younger workers are being integrated — both in Malta and across the bloc.

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