Russia"s official unemployment rate grew...

"The number of unemployed citizens registered with employment services reached 2.205 million people as of February 3, 2010," the statement said.

Unemployed numbers rose in 74 out of 83 Russian regions, with the Astrakhan Region and the republics of Khakassia, Kalmykia, Adygea and Chuvashia reporting the highest growth in the past week.

However, seven Russian regions, including Moscow, the North Caucasus republic of Chechnya and south Siberia"s Tyva, saw a decrease in the number of the unemployed in the reporting period.

The real unemployment figures are much higher, as many Russians do not collect unemployment benefits, which are generally very low.

MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti)