ABC

Unemployment in the United states has risen to more than 10 per cent for the first time since 1983, with more than 16 million people now without work.

The latest figures show the unemployment rate rose to 10.2 per cent in October, which is a new 26-year high.

For 22 months the US economy has shed jobs, the longest run of monthly job losses in 70 years.

The US Labor Department says another 190,000 jobs were lost in October.

The number of Americans who have been out of work for six months or longer has also risen.

It is up to 5.6 million - a record high.

President Barack Obama has signed legislation extending jobless benefits for the fourth time since the recession began.

Mr Obama says while the jobless figure is sobering, he is determined to enable all Americans who want to find work to do so.

"The bill I signed today will help folks to do that while continuing to grow our economy," he said.

"It's a bill that extends unemployment benefits for up to 20 additional weeks.

"Already these benefits have helped 16 million unemployed Americans, and now that I've signed this bill - an additional 700,000 Americans who are still searching for work will be able to sign up for an extension of those benefits immediately."