Hungary jobless rate edges down to 10.7pc in July-Sept (adds analysts)

Budapest, October 28 (MTI) - The average unemployment rate in Hungary was 10.7 percent in the 15-74 age group in July-September, down from 10.8 percent in June-August, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday.

In the 15-64 age group, the jobless rate was unchanged from the previous three-month period at 10.8 percent.

The number of the employed rose by 33,000 to 3,856,000 in the period, and the number of the economically inactive fell by 19,000 to 2.49 million.

Analysts told MTI the increase in labour market activity was positive but a turnaround was unlikely this year or in 2012.

Gyorgy Barta of CIB Bank said despite the positive development it would be too soon to talk about a turnaround in unemployment. He said the annual jobless rate was likely to be 10.8 percent this year and at 10.5 percent in 2012, largely due to the government s "rather costly" public-works scheme.

Andras Oszlay of Takarekbank predicted 11 percent unemployment this year and 10.7 percent for 2012.