30/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to estimates published on Friday 30 October by Eurostat, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.7% in September 2009 in the eurozone, compared to 9.6% in August. It was 7.7% in September 2008. In the EU27, the unemployment rate rose to 9.2% in September 2009, compared to 9.1% in August. It was 7.1% in September 2008. This is the highest level recorded in the eurozone since January 1999, and in the EU27 since the beginning of statistical series in January 2000. By way of comparison, the unemployment rate was 9.8% in the United States in September 2009 and 8.5% in Japan in August 2009. (O.L./transl.jl)