01.10.201808:39:00UTC+00Italy's Jobless Rate Lowest Since Early 2012

Italy's unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in more than six years in August, the statistical office Istat reported Monday.

The jobless rate fell to 9.7 percent from around 10.2 percent in July. This was the lowest since January 2012, when the rate stood at 9.6 percent.

The number of unemployed fell 4.5 percent over the previous month to 2.522 million in August. At the same time, employment climbed 0.3 percent to 23.369 million.

The unemployment rate among youth aged between 15 and 24 gained 0.2 percentage points from the previous month to 31 percent in August.