Industrial output in June was up 16.9 percent from a year earlier, according to the national statistics agency.

And many economists say the jobless rate may be even lower since the government's statistics agency only surveys six major metropolitan areas.

The government's statistics agency said the rate was down from 10.5 percent in November and 10.9 percent at the end of 2003.

The government's statistics agency said production rose less than 0.02 percent from August.

The statistics agency has denied that its report was politically influenced.

The government's statistics agency said the jobless rate rose to 10.6 percent last month, from 10.2 percent in January.

Industrial production rose in July for the 11th consecutive month, gaining 9.6 percent from a year ago, the government's statistics agency said.

Average life expectancy in Italy, which keeps growing, reached 75.5 in 1998 for men, according to the statistics agency.

Italy's economic growth slowed in the first quarter, the national statistics agency said yesterday.

The government's statistics agency said the jobless rate rose to 10.2 percent last month from a three-year low of 9.6 percent in December.