Germany’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4% in October 2026, in line with market expectations and holding at its highest level since 2020. The number of unemployed increased by a smaller-than-expected 4,000 to 3.016 million, marking the highest level since March 2011. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment fell by 40,000 to 2.955 million, down from 2.994 million in September, remaining below the 3 million threshold for a second consecutive month. Labor Office head Andrea Nahles noted that “the economic conditions are still not sufficient for an improvement in the labor market,” highlighting the continued weakness in employment conditions. Meanwhile, the number of vacancies registered with the Federal Employment Agency reached 654,000 in October, up by 31,000 compared with the same month a year earlier. source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Unemployment Rate in Germany remained unchanged at 6.40 percent in October. Unemployment Rate in Germany averaged 6.03 percent from 1950 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 12.10 percent in March of 2005 and a record low of 0.40 percent in March of 1966. This page provides the latest reported value for - Germany Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Germany Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Germany remained unchanged at 6.40 percent in October. Unemployment Rate in Germany is expected to be 6.40 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Germany Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 6.30 percent in 2027 and 6.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-30 07:55 AM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4%
2026-10-30 08:55 AM
Unemployment Rate
Oct 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.4%
2026-11-27 08:55 AM
Unemployment Rate
Nov 6.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 45473.00 45502.00 Thousand Aug 2026
Job Vacancies 653.99 659.69 Thousand Oct 2026
Job Vacancy Rate 2.40 2.70 percent Jun 2026
Minimum Wages 13.90 12.82 EUR/Hour Jan 2026
Population 83.50 83.58 Million Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 3016.00 3012.00 Thousand Oct 2026
Unemployment Change 4.00 12.00 Thousand Oct 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.40 6.40 percent Oct 2026
Real Wage Growth 1.50 1.80 percent Jun 2026
Wages 4851.00 4691.00 EUR/Month Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 7.50 7.50 percent Sep 2026


Germany Unemployment Rate
In Germany, the unemployment rate measures the registered unemployed as a percentage of the civilian labor force. The registered Unemployed as defined in the statistics collected by the Federal Employment Office and based on the register of persons out of work are all those persons who have reached the age of 15 but not yet the age of 65 who have no job or only a part-time job (at present less than 15 hours a week) and are looking for a job subject to compulsory insurance with a working time of no less than 15 hours a week. They must have registered at the appropriate job center and must not be certified as unfit for work.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6.40 6.40 12.10 0.40 1950 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Germany's Jobless Rate Remains at 2020 Highs
Germany’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4% in October 2026, in line with market expectations and holding at its highest level since 2020. The number of unemployed increased by a smaller-than-expected 4,000 to 3.016 million, marking the highest level since March 2011. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment fell by 40,000 to 2.955 million, down from 2.994 million in September, remaining below the 3 million threshold for a second consecutive month. Labor Office head Andrea Nahles noted that “the economic conditions are still not sufficient for an improvement in the labor market,” highlighting the continued weakness in employment conditions. Meanwhile, the number of vacancies registered with the Federal Employment Agency reached 654,000 in October, up by 31,000 compared with the same month a year earlier.
2026-10-30
German Unemployment Rate Holds at 6.4%
Germany’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 6.4% in September 2026, in line with expectations and remaining at its highest level since 2020. The number of unemployed rose by a larger-than-expected 12,000 to 3.012 million, the highest level since March 2011. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment edged below 3 million after exceeding that threshold for the previous two months. Labor Office head Andrea Nahles said the usual autumn improvement in the labor market has started sluggishly, with the recent economic recovery yet to translate into stronger employment.
2026-09-30
German Unemployment Holds at 2020 High
Germany’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 6.4% in August 2026, in line with expectations and remaining at its highest level since 2020. The number of unemployed rose by a slightly smaller-than-expected 4,000 to 2.996 million, just below the politically significant 3 million mark. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment remained above 3 million for a second consecutive month, rising by 36,260 to 3.061 million. Labor Office head Andrea Nahles said the labor market showed “little momentum” beyond normal seasonal patterns, continuing the subdued trend seen in recent months. Unemployment typically rises from July due to the summer break, while Germany’s sluggish economy has added to labor-market weakness. However, recent signs of stronger economic growth could provide some support in the months ahead.
2026-08-28