The level of unemployment in Bulgaria is getting closer to the EU member states’ average, the National Employment Agency said.

Unemployment in July 2007 was 7.25 per cent, registering a decrease of 1.71 per cent as compared to the July 2006 figures, Focus news agency reported.

The EU average rate in June 2007 was 6.9 per cent.

The number of the registered unemployed decreased to 268 446 people, Focus said. The decrease equals 63 350 people per year.

In the period between June and July 2007, their numbers decreased by 6374 people.

Unemployment has dropped in all the regions of Bulgaria, except for Yambol and Kurdzhali.

More than 36 per cent of the unemployed are above age 50, another major group are the young people under 29, 20.1 per cent.