Prague - The Czech Republic's inflation and unemployment rates were both down in April, according to government data released Monday.

Inflation fell below the 7-per-cent level for the first time in 2008, Czech statisticians said.

Consumer prices dropped to 6.8 per cent year-on-year in April from 7.1 per cent the previous month and a nine-year peak of 7.5 per cent in January.

The April data confirmed forecasts that inflation was falling back from the peak caused earlier this year by the introduction of direct payments in health care, the deregulation of rents, and higher food and energy prices, the Czech National Bank said.

The country's unemployment rate was down to a nine-year low of 5.2 per cent in April from 5.6 per cent in March, the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry said.

An influx of foreign car and electronics makers in recent years has caused the Czech economy to boom but also to suffer from labour shortages. (dpa)