HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 cc499-500W
Mr. Gill

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average rate of unemployment in the member states of the European Community in each of the years 1972, 1982 and 1992. [14527]

Mrs. Angela Knight

Comparisons between the UK and other EU countries of unemployment on the internationally standard international labour organisation basis are available only from 1984. The table shows the extent of the available information.

Unemployment rates in EU countries
1984 1992
Belgium 11.9 6.7
Denmark 8.9 9.0
France 9.5 10.2
Germany1 6.7 6.3
Greece 8.1 7.8
Ireland 16.5 15.0
Italy 9.5 9.4
Luxembourg 2.7 2.0
Netherlands 12.4 5.6
Portugal2 — 4.0
Spain2 — 17.7
UK 10.9 9.7
EC average3 9.4 9.2

Notes:

1 Rate relates to the former West Germany.

2Not available.

3Rates relate to EU10 in 1984 and EU12 in 1992.

Source:

Statistical Office of the European Community Labour Force Survey results. Figures refer to the results of the Spring Labour Force Survey in the listed countries for the specified years.