Growth in the euro zone services sector jumped to its highest level in more than five years last month on rising demand that encouraged firms to expand their labour forces.
The RBS/NTC Eurozone Services Business Activity Index, which covers around 2,000 companies ranging from airlines to restaurants, rose to 58.2 in February from 57.0 the previous month, hitting its highest level since September 2000.
Demand climbed at a faster rate, and backlogs of work continued to rise in the service sector, which accounts for two thirds of the economy of the 12-nation euro bloc.
Firms in all the big four euro nations - Germany, France, Italy and Spain - took on more staff, helping to push the euro zone employment index to 53.1, its highest since July 2001.
The service sector reports showed the French Business Activity Index rising to 60.1 - its highest level in more than two years - while the Italian index hit a 19-month high.
Service sector growth also remained robust in Germany despite a slight dip in the headline index to 57.8 from last month's 5-1/2 year high of 58.1.
The headline index numbers came in above consensus expectations in all regions except Germany.