stats / core 7 + eu / jobs & cost of living

Jobs & cost of living · Core 7 + EU

For recent grads: how easy it is to find work, how good the jobs are, what they pay and what life costs.

Grad view

Netherlands

Youth unemployment: 8.8 % · Aug 2026
Recent-grad employment: 92.1 % · 2025
Average wage (PPP): 80,136 US$ PPP · 2025
Price level: 87 USA = 100 · 2025
Housing squeeze: 14.3 % · 2025

Curaçao

Youth unemployment: 16.0 % · 2025
Recent-grad employment: no data
Average wage (PPP): no data
Price level: 79 USA = 100 · 2021
Housing squeeze: no data

United States

Youth unemployment: 9.9 % · Sep 2026
Recent-grad employment: 85.4 % · 2025
Average wage (PPP): 86,977 US$ PPP · 2025
Price level: 100 USA = 100 · 2025
Housing squeeze: 110 index · Q2 2026

South Korea

Youth unemployment: 6.1 % · Sep 2026
Recent-grad employment: 79.5 % · 2025
Average wage (PPP): 61,259 US$ PPP · 2025
Price level: 62 USA = 100 · 2025
Housing squeeze: 47 index · Q2 2026

China

Youth unemployment: 15.8 % · 2025
Recent-grad employment: no data
Average wage (PPP): no data
Price level: 48 USA = 100 · 2025
Housing squeeze: no data

Japan

Youth unemployment: 3.5 % · Aug 2026
Recent-grad employment: 91.2 % · 2025
Average wage (PPP): 50,183 US$ PPP · 2025
Price level: 69 USA = 100 · 2025
Housing squeeze: 88 index · Q4 2025

Canada

Youth unemployment: 13.0 % · Sep 2026
Recent-grad employment: 85.7 % · 2025
Average wage (PPP): 67,901 US$ PPP · 2025
Price level: 90 USA = 100 · 2025
Housing squeeze: 138 index · Q3 2026

European Union

Youth unemployment: 15.4 % · Aug 2026
Recent-grad employment: 86.9 % · 2025
Average wage (PPP): no data
Price level: 100 EU27 = 100 · 2024
Housing squeeze: 9.5 % · 2025

Beveridge curve: how hard is it to find a job?

quarterly unemployment rate (x) vs job vacancy rate (y), since 2010 · up and left = tighter market, easier to get hired

No vacancy series for Curaçao, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0 · Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0 · Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply)

Latest	NL	CW	US	KR	CN	JP	CA	EU27
Unemployment rate %	4.0Aug 2026	5.12025	4.2Sep 2026	2.6Sep 2026	5.12026	2.5Aug 2026	6.5Sep 2026	6.1Aug 2026
Youth unemployment, 15–24 %	8.8Aug 2026	16.02025	9.9Sep 2026	6.1Sep 2026	15.82025	3.5Aug 2026	13.0Sep 2026	15.4Aug 2026
Unemployment, 25–29 %	4.22025	5.12025	8.0Sep 2026	–	–	–	–	8.42025
Unemployment with a degree %	2.52024	10.62020	2.6Sep 2026	2.72025	3.82000	2.52020	5.42025	4.42024
Job vacancy rate %	3.9Q4 2025	–	4.3Aug 2026	–	–	–	–	2.0Q4 2025
Job openings per unemployed person ratio	–	–	1.01Aug 2026	–	–	–	–	–
Long-term unemployed (1 year +) % of unemployed	14.02025	–	13.82025	1.02025	–	30.82025	13.52025	31.52025
Quits rate %	–	–	1.9Aug 2026	–	–	–	–	–
Employment rate of recent graduates %	92.12025	–	–	–	–	–	–	86.92025
Employment rate, tertiary-educated 25–34 %	92.22025	–	85.42025	79.52025	–	91.22025	85.72025	–
Not in employment, education or training (NEET) %	5.32025	17.52020	11.62025	10.82002	12.72000	3.12019	13.32025	11.02025
Graduate earnings premium index	1292024	–	1662024	1142024	–	–	1372023	–
Temporary contracts %	25.82025	–	4.32023	27.52025	–	14.22025	11.82025	12.62025
Temporary contracts, 15–24 %	60.22025	–	12.92023	39.92025	–	14.52025	31.42025	47.22025
Part-time work %	42.72025	–	26.92025	26.42025	–	–	42.62025	17.72025
Hours worked per worker, per year hours	1,4362025	–	1,8002025	1,8332025	–	1,5982025	1,6872025	–
Very long hours (50 h + a week) %	5.02025	–	–	16.32025	–	14.72025	5.52025	–
Usual weekly hours, full-time job hours	37.32025	–	–	–	–	–	–	38.72025
Average annual wage US$ PPP	80,1362025	–	86,9772025	61,2592025	–	50,1832025	67,9012025	–
Median full-time wage (approx.) US$ PPP	77,9272025	–	62,6082025	47,9812025	–	46,5172025	55,5282025	–
Real wage growth %	1.92025	–	1.72025	0.62025	–	-0.52025	0.22025	–
Minimum wage, hourly US$ PPP	16.712025	–	7.252025	11.402025	–	10.372025	13.152025	–
Minimum wage vs median wage % of median	48.32025	–	24.12025	59.62025	–	46.42025	49.22025	–
Minimum wage, monthly (EU) PPS	2,023H2 2026	–	834H2 2026	–	–	–	–	–
Price level of household consumption USA = 100	872025	792021	1002025	622025	482025	692025	902025	–
Price level now (OECD, monthly) USA = 100	87Aug 2026	–	100Aug 2026	61Aug 2026	–	62Aug 2026	88Aug 2026	–
Price level of household consumption (EU27 = 100) EU27 = 100	1212024	–	1492024	–	–	892024	–	1002024
Price level: food (EU27 = 100) EU27 = 100	992024	–	–	–	–	–	–	1002024
Price level: housing, water, energy (EU27 = 100) EU27 = 100	1302024	–	–	–	–	–	–	1002024
Price level: transport (EU27 = 100) EU27 = 100	1132024	–	–	–	–	–	–	1002024
Price level: restaurants and hotels (EU27 = 100) EU27 = 100	1252024	–	–	–	–	–	–	1002024
Big Mac price US$	7.08H2 2026	–	6.22H2 2026	3.84H2 2026	3.91H2 2026	3.08H2 2026	5.81H2 2026	7.08H2 2026
House price-to-income index	141Q4 2025	–	110Q2 2026	47Q2 2026	–	88Q4 2025	138Q3 2026	–
House price-to-rent index	157Q4 2025	–	130Q4 2024	107Q2 2026	–	109Q4 2025	158Q3 2026	–
Rents Index 2015=100	136Q3 2026	–	149Q4 2024	111Q3 2026	–	101Q3 2026	142Q3 2026	–
Housing cost overburden, aged 25–29 %	14.32025	–	–	–	–	–	–	9.52025
Still living with their parents, 25–29 %	17.92025	–	–	–	–	–	–	41.82025

Unemployment

Unemployment rate

monthly where available · %

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0 · Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Curaçao (CBS Curaçao) · Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply) · Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook (DataMapper) · Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Youth unemployment, 15–24

US 16–24 · %

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0 · Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Curaçao (CBS Curaçao) · Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply) · Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, CC BY 4.0 · Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Unemployment, 25–29

CW 25–34 · US 20–24 · %

No data for South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0 · Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Curaçao (CBS Curaçao) · Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply)

Unemployment with a degree

advanced education · US bachelor’s, 25–34 · %

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, CC BY 4.0 · Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply)

Finding a job

Job vacancy rate

vacancies ÷ (jobs + vacancies) · US JOLTS openings rate · %

No data for Curaçao, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0 · Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply)

Job openings per unemployed person

above 1 = more openings than jobseekers · ratio

No data for Netherlands, Curaçao, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, European Union.

Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply)

Long-term unemployed (1 year +)

share of the unemployed · % of unemployed

No data for Curaçao, China.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0 · Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Quits rate

people leaving their job voluntarily, a sign of confidence (JOLTS) · %

No data for Netherlands, Curaçao, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, European Union.

Source: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (original series sources apply)

Graduates

Employment rate of recent graduates

tertiary, left education 1–3 years ago, aged 20–34 · %

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Employment rate, tertiary-educated 25–34

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Not in employment, education or training (NEET)

EU 15–29 · elsewhere 15–24 · %

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0 · Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, CC BY 4.0

Graduate earnings premium

full-time earnings of tertiary-educated 25–34s, upper secondary = 100 · index

No data for Curaçao, China, Japan, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Job quality

Temporary contracts

share of employees · %

No data for Curaçao, China.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0 · Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Temporary contracts, 15–24

No data for Curaçao, China.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0 · Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Part-time work

share of employment · %

No data for Curaçao, China, Japan.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0 · Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, CC BY 4.0

Hours worked per worker, per year

hours

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Very long hours (50 h + a week)

work–life balance: share of workers · %

No data for Curaçao, United States, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Usual weekly hours, full-time job

hours

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Wages

Average annual wage

full-time equivalent, constant prices, PPP · US$ PPP

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Median full-time wage (approx.)

real minimum wage ÷ minimum-to-median ratio, PPP · US$ PPP

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Real wage growth

yearly change of the average wage after inflation · %

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Minimum wage, hourly

constant prices, PPP · US$ PPP

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Minimum wage vs median wage

% of median

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Minimum wage, monthly (EU)

purchasing power standards · PPS

No data for Curaçao, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, European Union.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Cost of living

Price level of household consumption

how expensive life is at market exchange rates, USA = 100 · USA = 100

No data for European Union.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, CC BY 4.0

Price level now (OECD, monthly)

comparative price level, USA = 100 · USA = 100

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Price level of household consumption (EU27 = 100)

EU27 = 100

No data for Curaçao, South Korea, China, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Price level: food (EU27 = 100)

EU27 = 100

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Price level: housing, water, energy (EU27 = 100)

EU27 = 100

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Price level: transport (EU27 = 100)

EU27 = 100

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Price level: restaurants and hotels (EU27 = 100)

EU27 = 100

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Big Mac price

NL and EU: euro-area average · US$

No data for Curaçao.

Source: The Economist, Big Mac index (CC BY 4.0)

Housing

House price-to-income

vs its own long-term average (= 100) · index

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

House price-to-rent

vs its own long-term average (= 100) · index

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Rents

Index 2015=100

No data for Curaçao, China, European Union.

Source: OECD Data Explorer (prices; financial market statistics), CC BY 4.0

Housing cost overburden, aged 25–29

living in a household spending over 40 % of income on housing · %

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0

Still living with their parents, 25–29

No data for Curaçao, United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada.

Source: Eurostat, CC BY 4.0