The labour market situation in the European Union is watched on the basis of regularly updated Eurostat- key indicators. In particular the unemployment rate receives special attention and is frequently put on a level with the overall performance of a labour market. However, the unemployment rate merely shifts the attention of policy makers and the public on this one specific, albeit important facet of labour market performance. De facto participation and earnings opportunities and the structure of labour markets within the Union are diverse, making a straight forward cross-country monitoring over time complex.