A new report has expressed concerns about the "unevenness" of the current labor market recovery across the European Union (EU).

According to the latest EU Employment and Social Situation Quarterly review, more jobs are being created in the region, but some member states appear to be missing out.

The study by the European Commission pointed to the high social costs of the recent global economic downturn, with job losses tending to be concentrated among lower-middle wage earners.

In addition, it pointed to falling unemployment rates in those countries that tend to have low levels of joblessness already, such as the Netherlands and Austria, while others are seeing the labor market continue to suffer as a result of continuing concerns about their economic and fiscal situations, including Spain and Greece.

Employment rose by 0.3 per cent in the EU during the first three months of 2011, with rises in the numbers of part-time and temporary jobs and improvements among the younger age group.

Data from Eurostat recently revealed employment was stable in the EU during the three months to March at 222.9 million people.

Posted by Alex Donnell