Euro Zone's Jobless Picture Worsens

Unemployment in the euro zone climbed to its highest rate on record in January, official data showed Friday, underscoring the heavy toll the currency bloc's fiscal crisis and recession are exacting on a populace weary of austerity.

Other data showed annual inflation in February fell to its lowest level in 2½ years, however, which could encourage consumer spending due to a reduced squeeze on household incomes. Lower inflation could also ease doubts among policy makers at the European Central Bank about giving more support to the struggling economy in coming months.

Eurostat, the European Union's statistics agency, said 11.9% of ...

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