Italy’s unemployment rate declined for a third straight month in September to its lowest level in nearly three years, data from the statistical office ISTAT showed Friday.

The unemployment rate declined to 11.8 percent from 11.9 percent in August. Economists had expected the rate to hold steady.

The September jobless rate was the lowest since December 2012, when it was 11.4 percent.

The youth unemployment rate, which applies to the 16-24 age group, eased slightly to 40.5 percent from 40.8 percent. That was the lowest since July 2013, when it was 40 percent.

The total number of unemployed fell by about 35,000 persons from the previous month and by around 264,000 people from a year ago.

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