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The number of persons employed increased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.2% in the EU28 in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the previous quarter, according to national accounts estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2013, employment also increased by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU28. These figures are seasonally adjusted.

In April 2014 compared with March 2014, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.4% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.6% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In March retail trade increased by 0.1% in both zones.

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.2% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.3% in the EU28 during the first quarter of 2014, compared with the previous quarter, according to second estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2013, GDP grew by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU28.

The euro area (EA18) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 11.7% in April 2014, down from 11.8% in March 2014, and from 12.0% in April 2013. The EU28 unemployment rate was 10.4% in April 2014, down from 10.5% in March 2014, and from 10.9% in April 2013. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The employment rate of the population aged 20 to 64 in the EU28 showed a clear pattern during the last decade: it rose steadily from 66.7% in 2002 to 70.3% in 2008, then fell with the financial crisis to 68.9%, and has since continuously decreased to 68.3% in 2013. The Europe 2020 strategy target is to have an employment rate of at least 75% in the EU28 by 2020.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA18) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in March 2014 gave a 17.1 billion euro surplus, compared with +21.9 bn in March 2013. The February 2014 balance was +14.2 bn, compared with +9.8 bn in February 2013. In March 2014 compared with February 2014, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 0.5% and imports by 0.6%.

Euro area annual inflation was 0.7% in April 2014, up from 0.5% in March. A year earlier the rate was 1.2%. Monthly inflation was 0.2% in April 2014. European Union annual inflation was 0.8% in April 2014, up from 0.6% in March. A year earlier the rate was 1.4%. Monthly inflation was 0.1% in April 2014.

In March 2014 compared with February 2014, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.3% in both the euro area (EA18) and the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February retail trade increased by 0.1% and 0.3% respectively.

The euro area (EA18) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 11.8% in March 2014, stable since December 2013, but down from 12.0% in March 2013. The EU28 unemployment rate was 10.5% in March 2014, stable compared with February 2014, but down from 10.9% in March 2013. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In 2013, the government deficit of both the euro area (EA18) and the EU282 decreased in absolute terms compared with 2012, while the government debt rose in both zones. In the euro area the government deficit to GDP ratio decreased from 3.7% in 2012 to 3.0% in 2013, and in the EU28 from 3.9% to 3.3%. In the euro area the government debt to GDP ratio increased from 90.7% at the end of 2012 to 92.6% at the end of 2013, and in the EU283 from 85.2% to 87.1%.