Employment rose in most major European economies during the month of October, according to unemployment rates and employment growth data compiled and standardized by The Conference BoardInternational Labor Comparisons (ILC) program.  

The unemployment rate remained stable or decreased in all European economies compared. The decline in unemployment was the largest in Sweden (-0.1 percentage points) and France (-0.2 percentage points). In France, which reached record unemployment in September, the October decline was the first since March 2011.

"In the Euro Area, the unemployment rate for October declined for the first time since February 2011," said Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist with the International Labor Comparisons program at The Conference Board. "After two quarters of mild economic recovery in the Euro Area, member countries may finally be reaching a turning point in unemployment."

The unemployment rate increased in Japan and the U.S. in October. The fall in U.S. employment – largely due to household jobs reporting during the government shutdown – was the largest since December 2009. Employment in Canada and Australiaremained stable.