With the global financial crisis hitting Europe with full force during October, recruitment activity continued to moderate across the EU as the Monster Employment Index Europe fell to a nine-month low of 152.

Despite the decline, online job availability remains above last year’s reading, indicating a sustained high level of unfilled vacancies from a historical perspective. Germany reported the steepest fall in October, but remains among the strongest growth markets in Europe on a year-on-year basis. Meanwhile, demand continued to strengthen in education and healthcare, suggesting a building shortage of qualified candidates in these areas.

The Monster Employment Index Europe fell three points in October as online recruitment activity in the European Union slowed for a third consecutive month.

· Year-on-year, the Index was up three points, or two percent, showing that overall EU online job availability remains higher than at this time last year

· Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands all saw online hiring slip, while offerings rose in Italy, France and the UK

· Demand continued surging for education and healthcare workers, partly offsetting softer recruiting in the goods-producing sector

· Legislators, senior officials and managers reported increased opportunities, counterbalancing declines for sales and factory workers