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Reuters
31-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
German unemployment rises significantly less than expected in July
BERLIN, July 31 (Reuters) - The number of people out of work in Germany rose significantly less than expected in July, labour office figures showed on Thursday, even as the job market remains firmly in the grasp of a weak economy. The office said the number of unemployed increased by 2,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.97 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a rise of 15,000. Germany's job market has been squeezed by two years of economic contraction, even against a backdrop of long-term labour shortages, with the number of unemployed people approaching the 3 million mark for the first time in a decade. "Unemployment has risen due to the beginning of the summer break," said labour office head Andrea Nahles. The seasonally adjusted employment rate remained unchanged at 6.3%. Nahles said earlier this month that improvement is not expected before next summer as the German government's massive spending surge will have a delayed impact on the job market. There were 628,000 job openings in July, 75,000 fewer than a year ago, in another sign of a slowdown in demand, the labour office said.
Reuters
01-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
German unemployment rises less than expected in June
BERLIN, July 1 (Reuters) - The number of people out of work in Germany rose less than expected in June, labour office figures showed on Tuesday, as the labour market remains in the grip of an anaemic economy. The office said the number of unemployed increased by 11,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.97 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a rise of 15,000. The number of unemployed people in Germany is approaching the 3 million mark for the first time in a decade. Germany is set to gradually raise its hourly minimum wage to 14.60 euros ($17.10) by 2027, which can make it less attractive for companies to take on staff. Germany's job market has been squeezed by two years of economic contraction, even against a backdrop of long-term labour shortages, adding to pressure on conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has vowed to turn around the economy. The seasonally adjusted employment rate remained unchanged in June on the previous month at 6.3%. "The labour market continues to show signs of economic weakness. Unemployment continues to develop unfavourably. And companies remain reluctant to hire," said labour office head Andrea Nahles. There were 632,000 job openings in June, 69,000 fewer than a year ago, showing a slowdown in labour demand, the labour office said. ($1 = 0.8538 euros)
Reuters
28-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
German unemployment rises by more than expected in May
BERLIN, May 28 (Reuters) - The number of people out of work in Germany rose at faster pace than expected in May, labour office figures showed on Wednesday, putting pressure on a new government battling to wrench Europe's largest economy from prolonged downturn. The office said the number of unemployed - already at a decade-long high in April - increased by 34,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.96 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a rise of 10,000. The number of unemployed people in Germany is approaching the 3 million mark for the first time over the last 10 years. Economic malaise has put pressure on the job market even against a backdrop of long-term labour shortages, adding to pressure on conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz who has vowed to pull the economy out of two years of decline. The seasonally adjusted employment rate remained unchanged in May from the previous month at 6.3%, in line with a forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll. Excluding the pandemic, this is the highest level since December 2015. "The labour market is not getting the tailwind it needs for a trend reversal. Therefore, we expect unemployment figures to continue to rise in the summer," said labour office head Andrea Nahles. There were 634,000 job openings in May, or 67,000 fewer than a year ago, showing a slowdown in labour demand, the labour office said. The tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump will deal a major blow - possibly putting the German economy on track for a third straight year of recession for the first time in post-war German history.
