FRANKFURT--The number of unemployed in Germany hit its lowest level in almost a quarter of a century in October in a trend that is bolstering household consumption in Europe's largest economy.

The BA labor agency said Thursday that jobless claims in October fell by 5,000 from the previous month, adjusted for seasonal effects, and the adjusted jobless rate was unchanged at 6.4%, a record low. By comparison, economists in a Wall Street Journal poll had forecast no change in claims.