Official unemployment statistics only scratch the surface. Many Europeans are underemployed (working part-time but wanting more hours), available to work but not actively searching, or seeking jobs but aren't immediately available to work. This broader measure, known as labor market slack, offers a fuller picture of underutilized workforces.
In Q2 2025, hidden unemployment in the EU reached 26.8 million people aged 15 to 74. Using Eurostat data, which includes the official unemployment rate plus the hidden unemployment rate, this gallery examines both EU and non-EU countries to reveal where labor market slack is most severe.
Click on to explore the disparities.