Luxembourg, 15/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - In the whole economy of the euro-zone, the total hourly labour costs grew by 3.9% in nominal terms during the third quarter of 2000, compared to the third quarter of 1999, Eurostat states. In the second quarter of 2000, the increase was a revised 3.7%. In the EU15, the rise was also 3.9% compared to a revised 3.7% in the previous quarter. Italy recorded the smallest annual rise (0.8%), while the highest rates were in the Netherlands (5.2%), Austria (4.3%) and Finland (4.3%). In Industry, hourly labour costs in the euro-zone increased by 3.8%, and by 3.9% in the EU15, with the biggest increase in the Netherlands. Costs fell in Italy (-0.9%). Finally, during the third quarter of 2000, the largest rise in salaries was recorded in the Netherlands (5.1%) and the lowest in Italy (-0.9%).