Prague - The Czech Republic's unemployment rate climbed a notch to 8.6 per cent in September, up from 8.5 per cent in August, a result of falling foreign demand, government data showed Thursday.

The number of jobseekers registered with labour authorities, on which the rate is based, rose to 500,812 people, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs said.

The Central European country of over 10 million was not hurt by the global financial crisis but its export-driven economy has suffered from reduced demand from its markets, chiefly Western Europe.

The EU-harmonized rate, based on sample surveys, reached 6.8 per cent in August, compared to the EU's average of 8.9 per cent that month, the Eurostat data showed. (dpa)