国际英语新闻：Unemployment rate in U.S. state of California remains steady

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The jobless rate in the U.S. State of California remained steady at 12.4 percent in September, the same rate as August but up from 12.1 percent in September 2009, the state Economic Development Department (EDD) reported on Friday.

Statewide, 2.27 million people were out of work, up slightly from 2.26 million in August, the EDD said.

The figures indicated that economic recovery was still not in sight in the state, economic analysts said.

In Los Angeles County, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 12.6 percent in September, also the same as August, but above the 12.2 percent rate in September 2009, according to the EDD.

Total nonfarm employment increased by 11,600 jobs in Los Angeles County between August and September to reach more than 3.7 million.

The largest increase was in the educational and health services sector, which gained 10,600 jobs.

A total of 615,000 people were unemployed in September in Los Angeles County, which has a labor force of nearly 4.9 million.

The comparable estimates for the nation were 9.6 percent in September, 9.6 percent in August and 9.8 percent for September 2009.