Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, reported that the Eurozone’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 11.4% in August 2012. This figure matches the record high reached in the previous month.

Across the Eurozone, approximately 18.2 million people were unemployed in August. The highest unemployment rates were observed in Spain (25.1%) and Greece (25.5% in June, the latest available data). Germany continued to have the lowest unemployment rate at 5.6%.

Youth unemployment remains a significant challenge, with rates exceeding 50% in some countries. This is fueling social unrest and emigration.

Economists warn that persistently high unemployment could hinder the Eurozone’s efforts to overcome its sovereign debt crisis and achieve sustainable economic growth.