Germany's unemployment rate dropped to 9.6 percent in November as the number of people out of work fell below 4 million for the first time in more than four years _ the latest evidence of a gathering recovery in Europe's biggest economy, AP reported. The unadjusted jobless rate declined from 9.8 percent in October, while the number of Germans registered as unemployed sank by 89,000 to 3.995 million, the government's Federal Labor Agency said Thursday. The figure was last below the politically sensitive 4 million mark in October 2002, when it stood at nearly 3.93 million. Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the figure, saying that reforms and changes put into effect by her government in the past year had «made this success possible.» Still, she said there is still much to be done. «There are still nearly 4 million people in Germany who are waiting for jobs,» she said in a statement. The labor agency credited the improvement above all to the strengthening of the economy, although it said unusually mild weather also was a factor in extending a traditional autumn job upswing into November. Helped by a sustained boom in exports and by investment at home, Germany is emerging from years of sluggish growth. Over recent months, the upturn has finally begun to make itself felt in the labor market.
