ROME (Reuters) - Italy's unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.9% in January from an unrevised 7.8% the month before, national statistics bureau ISTAT said on Thursday.
A Reuters survey of analysts had forecast a jobless rate of 7.8%.
In January the youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, increased to 22.9% from an upwardly revised 22.2% the month before.
Italy's overall employment rate in January marginally rose to 60.8%. The number of people in work rose by 35,000 from the month before.
ISTAT gave the following data:
JAN DEC NOV
JOBLESS RATE 7.9 7.8 7.8
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (15-24) 22.9 22.2r 23.3r
EMPLOYMENT RATE (15-64) 60.8 60.7r 60.6r
r=revised