In 2023, 8.1% of EU residents under 65 lived in households with very low labour activity

According to Eurostat, in 2023, 8.1% of EU residents under the age of 65 lived in households with very low labour activity. This means that all adults in such households worked no more than 20% of the possible working time in the previous year.

The highest proportion of such households was recorded in the French overseas territories, where unemployment is traditionally high. In Guiana, the figure was 41.7 per cent, and on Reunion Island - 22.5 per cent. Also in the high-risk zone were the city of Bremen (Germany) - 21.8 per cent, the province of Hainaut (Belgium) - 21.5 per cent and Campania (Italy) - 21.2 per cent.

At the same time, Romania, Austria and Slovakia have the lowest rates. In Bucharest (0.7%) and Salzburg (0.8%) there are almost no families where working-age adults are practically unemployed. In Tyrol (1.1%) and Bratislava (1.3%) the situation also remains favourable.

The high share of families with minimal employment indicates a high level of economic instability and difficult access to the labour market in a number of regions. This may be due to lack of jobs, low qualifications, social exclusion or dependence on state aid.

In contrast, regions with a low proportion of such households have stable economies, high employment rates and well-developed employment programmes.

These indicators provide an important picture of economic inequality in the EU, highlighting the need for additional support measures for vulnerable groups and stimulating labour activity in the most affected regions.