BRUSSELS: Unemployment in the eurozone fell to 10.9 per cent in July, the first time it has dipped below 11 per cent since February 2012, raising hopes that economic recovery is taking hold, official data showed on Tuesday. Joblessness in the 19-nation currency bloc fell from 11.1 per cent in June, Eurostat said, but with youth unemployment at a still high 21.9 per cent.

The level of joblessness varied widely across the eurozone, but the sharp fall will boost hope that Europe is emerging from its prolonged debt crisis. Unemployment in Germany was unchanged at 4.7 per cent, the lowest rate in the currency bloc.