Unemployment in the euro zone rose in September to 9.7%, as expected

Taking into account seasonal factors, unemployment in the eurozone reached 9.7% in September this year, said the EU statistical agency Eurostat. Rate corresponds to analysts' forecasts. A month earlier, unemployment in the area of the single European currency was 9,6%. Note that this is the highest value of the unemployment rate since January 1999. In annual terms the index rose by 2,6% (from 7,1% in September 2008).
The total number of unemployed in the euro zone rose in September to 184 000 in monthly terms and amounted to 15.324 million. On an annual basis the total number of unemployed has increased by 3, 204 million people.