EU UNEMPLOYMENT STABLE AT 9.8% IN DECEMBER.

The average rate of unemployment in the European Union remained stable at 9.8% in December 1998, according to figures published on February 5 by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. The jobless rate was still in double figures in December 1997, at 10.4% of the EU's active population. The corresponding rate for the Euro zone (all EU Member States except for Denmark, Greece Sweden and the United Kingdom) in December 1998 was unchanged on the figure for November at 10.8%. This compares with 11.5% in December 1997. Eurostat estimates that 13.8 million men and women were unemployed in the Euro zone and 16.5 million across the entire EU in December 1998.

The lowest rates in December were recorded in Luxembourg (2.0%) and...