The unemployment rate in Latvia fell to 7.9% in September from 8.1% in August according to the State Employment Agency.

The last time the jobless rate in Latvia fell below 8% was in December 2008.

The number of people officially registered as jobless dropped by 1,307 during September 2016 to 74,357 at the end of the month.

The lowest unemployment rate, 5.1%, was recorded in Riga region, while the highest jobless rate, 17.4%, was in the eastern Latvian province of Latgale.

A total of 6,223 jobless people found permanent employment in September.

Among Latvia's largest cities, unemployment stood at 4.9% in Riga and 5.3% with 15.1% in Rezekne.