By Tuba Ongun
The jobless rate in the euro area rose to 6.5% in September compared to a month ago, the EU's statistical office announced on Friday, while the market had expected no change.
The figure increased from the record low of 6.4% in August, Eurostat data showed.
Unemployment rate was down from 6.7% in September 2022.
EU-wide unemployment, which includes countries that are in the bloc but do not use its common currency, also came in at 6% in September, stable compared with August 2023 and down from 6.1% in September 2022.
The number of jobless jumped 95,000 in the 27-member bloc and 69,000 in the single currency zone, compared to previous month.
Some 13 million people in the EU, including 11 million in the euro area, were unemployed during the month.
Youth unemployment stood at 14.2% in the EU and 14% in the euro area.