The statistic is the worst in the history of the independent Czech Republic and was primarily caused by the restrictive measures connected to the coronavirus pandemic.

Estimates predicted a year-on-year fall of 10.7% and a quarter-on-quarter of 8.4%. According to experts, the quarter-on-quarter GDP is expected to increase again after most restrictions on economic activity have been lifted.

The unemployment rate in Czechia was steady for the third consecutive month at 3.8% in September, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Jana Maláčová announced at a press conference on Friday.

A year ago, the jobless rate was lower at 2.7%. The countryʼs labor offices registered over 277,000 job seekers last month, Maláčová said.