France's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell to 9.9 pct in July from the 10.1 pct recorded in June, falling below 10 pct for the first time since December, the Labour Ministry said. The decline was more pronounced than expected by analysts, who had expected the July rate to remain stable at 10.1 pct, according to a consensus of forecasts compiled by AFX News. The number of registered unemployed who are "immediately available" for work fell 1 pct to 2.423 mln on a seasonally-adjusted basis. This category excludes those on the unemployment register who undertake part-time or temporary work for more than 78 hours per month. Including such registrants, the number of jobless fell by 1.1 pct. The ministry also issued figures for the number of unemployed based on International Labour Organisation definitions. These gave a seasonally-adjusted July unemployment rate of 9.9 pct.