New data from the Labor Ministry revealed that the unemployment rate in December rose by 0.4 percent compared to the month before The Labor Ministry has revealed new data showing that December 2008 saw the unemployment rate rise by 0.4 percent to 9.5 percent compared to November. However, the figure is still lower than December 2007, and below the state budget bill's prediction. 1.47 million people were unemployed in December, which is 75,900 more than in the previous month. "The unemployment rate has been growing for the past two months due to seasonality," said Labor and Social Policies Minister Jolanta Fedak. According to the 2008 budget estimate, unemployment in December was to amount to 9.9 percent. "For the first time in 15 years the unemployment rate at the end of the year is a single digit," said Deputy Labor Minister Czesława Ostrowska. Sources: Puls Biznesu, Parkiet (A.K.)