OREANDA-NEWS. July 01, 2008. The average seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in the European Union's (EU) 27 member states was 6,8 percent this past May.

The unemployment rate in Latvia was 5,6 percent in May - 12th lowest level in the EU, according to the data published by "Eurostat", the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

In May, the lowest unemployment rates were registered in Denmark – 2,7 percent, the Netherlands – 2,9 percent, Cyprus – 3,5 percent, Estonia and Austria - both 4,1 percent, Luxembourg – 4,2 percent, and Slovenia and Lithuania - both 4,3 percent.

The highest unemployment rates were registered in Slovakia – 10,5 percent, Spain – 9,9 percent, Greece – 7,8 percent, Hungary – 7,6 percent, Poland and Portugal - both 7,5 percent.

In the last 12 months time the unemployment rate went down in 20 EU countries and increased in six. The highest increase was registered in Spain, reaching 9,9 percent, comparing with 8,1 percent a year ago and in Ireland: from 4,8 to 6 percent this year. The largest decrease was observed in Poland - from 9,8 percent to 7,5 percent, and Bulgaria - from 7,1 to 5,7 percent.

In May, the unemployment rate was 5,5 percent in the United States and 4 percent in Japan.