Unemployment in European Union newcomer Poland rose 0.4 per cent over December 2004 to 19.5 per cent in January 2005, at once the highest level in the 25 member bloc, Poland's Central Statistical Office (GUS) announced Wednesday. The percentage translated into some 3.94 million unemployed nationwide, an increase of 95,000 from the previous month. It was, however, an improvement compared to the 20.6 per cent jobless rate recorded in January 2004. Poland's jobless rate remains at more than twice the average E.U. level hovering at near 9 per cent. The GUS also reported Wednesday that consumer inflation rose by 0.1 per cent in January 2005 to tally at 4 per cent.
