Unemployment in EU at "historically high level"

BRUSSELS, Jan 10 (KUNA) -- Unemployment in the 27-member European Union has now "reached a historically high level" at 9.8 percent, the European Commission announced here on Tuesday.
Unemployment has affected most groups, but especially hard hit are the young, the low-skilled and migrants.
Poverty is also on the rise in many EU countries. Young adults, children and single parents are particularly at risk, said the EU's executive body in a statement.
The EU economy grew modestly in the third quarter of 2011, although not enough to stabilise employment. The growth rate was 0.3 pct quarter-on-quarter, while the annual growth rate declined from 1.7 pct to 1.4 pct.
Growth forecasts for the EU were downgraded, also because the international environment became weaker. (end) nk.sd KUNA 101428 Jan 12NNNN