Labor markets improved overall across the advanced economies finds The Conference Board International Labor Comparisons

Labor markets improved overall across the advanced economies, according to unemployment rates and employment growth data compiled and standardized by The Conference Board International Labor Comparisons program for December 2013.

The unemployment rate in December fell in three of the nine countries compared, was unchanged in four, and rose in two. The U.S. and Japan again saw the largest declines, falling 0.3 points each to 6.7 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. Unemployment in Italy declined 0.1 points to 12.8 percent, after hitting a record high in November. Joblessness rose slightly in Canada and the Netherlands—by 0.1 points in both countries.

“Unemployment rates in December were lower than rates at the start of 2013, not only in the U.S., but in Japan and the European Union as a whole,” said Elizabeth Crofoot, Senior Economist with the International Labor Comparisons program at The Conference Board. “Despite month-to-month fluctuations throughout the year, unemployment rates in most economies compared have remained relatively stable or have nudged downward over the past twelve months.”

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at The Conference Board International Labor Comparison Program.