Unemployment Rate in Germany remained unchanged at 6.40 percent in September. 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. source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit

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
2026-08-28 07:55 AM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 6.3%
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%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 45473.00 45502.00 Thousand Aug 2026
Job Vacancies 659.69 656.48 Thousand Sep 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 3012.00 3000.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Unemployment Change 12.00 5.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.40 6.40 percent Sep 2026
Real Wage Growth 1.50 1.80 percent Jun 2026
Wages 4851.00 4691.00 EUR/Month Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 7.20 7.30 percent Jul 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
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
German Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.4%
Germany's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in July 2026 from 6.3% in June, exceeding market expectations of 6.3%. The number of unemployed increased by slightly more than expected, rising by 6,000 to 2.99 million, just below the politically significant 3 million threshold. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment climbed above 3 million. The labor market has continued to weaken with a lag following the geopolitical shock of the Iran war, which began in February. Adding to the pressure, inflation accelerated to 2.8% in July as higher energy prices filtered through the economy. Although Germany's second-quarter GDP growth exceeded expectations, the outlook remains clouded by renewed US-Iran hostilities, which could keep energy prices elevated, reinforce expectations of tighter ECB policy, and weigh on investment and consumer spending.
2026-07-31