Employment and Social Outlook - Flash News
EU Employment and Skills
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Better jobs. Stronger Europe.
The European Employment and Social Outlook (EESO) 2026 is out - a clear message: quality jobs are good for people - for Europe’s competitiveness.
Three key takeaways:
💪 A resilient labour market - but new pressures ahead
In 2025, the EU employment rate reached 76.1% and the unemployment rate remained at a historic low of 6%. Yet, weak productivity growth, higher energy prices and high uncertainty are creating new challenges.
📈 Job quality has improved - but not for everyone
Women, younger, lower-educated, migrant, self-employed and outsourced workers more often hold poorer-quality jobs, while AI use is more prevalent in better-quality jobs.
💶 Better-quality jobs support economic performance
Wage growth has gone hand in hand with productivity growth. Higher job quality also increases consumption and helps attract and retain workers in sectors facing labour shortages.
As the EU navigates the green transition, geopolitical tensions, and demographic and technological change, quality jobs must remain at the heart of EU policymaking.
The forthcoming Quality Jobs Act will be an important next step.
👉 Read the EESO 2026 report here.