Unemployment sees sharp decline

UNEMPLOYMENT figures in France have recorded their biggest decline since 2007 - marking a fourth consecutive month of falling jobseeker numbers.

Official new data shows the number of "category A" jobseekers (seeking full-time work at Pôle Emploi) in September fell by 24,700 compared with the previous month to 3.81 million.

"The trend is clearly one of improvement," labour minister Myriam El Khomri said, pointing to a 2.6% drop in unemployment among people under 25.

However, the number of category B and C jobseekers (seeking extra work because of a reduced activity) rose slightly in September, up by 1,800 on Auugst to 5.73 million.

Almost 45% of jobseekers registered at Pôle Emploi have been out of work for at least a year.