Brussels, 07/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - The unemployment rate of the euro zone stood at 8.4% in September 2005, against 8.5% in August and 8.8% a year previously. In the EU of 25, this figure was 8.8%, unchanged compared to the previous month, but down on September 2004, when it stood at 9%. 15 Member States saw the unemployment rate fall as an annual rhythm, seven recorded an increase and three remained stable. The largest relative decreases were seen in Lithuania (10.5% to 7.6%), Estonia (8.9% to 7.1%), Spain (10.8% to 9.3%), Denmark (5.3% to 4.7%) and Latvia (9.8% to 8.8%). The largest increases concern Cyprus (5.4% to 6.4%), Hungary (6.1% to 7.2%), Luxembourg (4.9% to 5.6%) and Belgium (7.9% to 8.4%). Taken annually, the unemployment rate for women fell from 10.4% to 9.7% in the euro zone and from 10.1% to 9.6% in the EU of 25. The unemployment rate for young people fell to 17.2% and 18.2% respectively, compared to 18% and 18.8% one year ago. In September 2005, the unemployment rate in the United States stood at 5.1% and that of Japan at 4.2%.