PRAGUE (AFP) -- Czech unemployment fell to 7.8 percent in September from 7.9 percent one month earlier, the Ministry of Labor and Social Services announced on Monday.

A total 427,331 people were registered as jobless and fit to work at the end of September, the ministry said.

In September 2005, unemployment stood at 8.8 percent, the ministry added.

Economists has expected a slight fall in the September jobless figure due to ongoing seasonal employment and school leavers and graduates starting work.

Wide regional differences in unemployment rates persist with Prague's eastern region having the lowest national figure at 2.3 percent and the northern mining town of Most the highest at 20.3 percent.