Finance

German unemployment rises less than expected in November

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 28, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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German unemployment rises less than expected in November
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BERLIN (Reuters) -The number of people out of work in Germany rose less than expected in November, labour office figures showed on Friday, underscoring a sluggish recovery and persistent lack of

German Jobless Rate Rises Slightly in November

BERLIN (Reuters) -The number of people out of work in Germany rose less than expected in November, labour office figures showed on Friday, underscoring a sluggish recovery and persistent lack of momentum in the job market.

In seasonally adjusted terms, the jobless figure rose by 1,000 to 2.973 million, while analysts and economists had predicted an increase by 5,000 in a Reuters poll.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate was unchanged from 6.3% a month earlier, in line with the forecast.

The economy ministry last month slightly raised its economic growth projection for this year to 0.2% from the stagnation foreseen previously, and forecast 1.3% growth next year.

Labour office head Andrea Nahles said the number of people in employment was stagnating and demand for labour remained subdued.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised to haul Germany out of the downturn with a sharp increase in infrastructure and defence spending, but those measures are taking longer than expected to translate into better conditions on the ground. 

(Writing by Friederike Heine, Editing by Miranda Murray)

Key Takeaways

  • German unemployment rose by 1,000 in November.
  • The jobless rate remained steady at 6.3%.
  • Economists predicted a larger increase in unemployment.
  • Economic growth projections have been slightly raised.
  • Infrastructure spending is expected to boost the economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unemployment?
Unemployment refers to the situation when individuals who are capable of working are unable to find a job. It is often measured as a percentage of the labor force.
What is economic growth?
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period of time, typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What is a job market?
The job market is the supply and demand for labor, where employers seek to hire workers and individuals seek employment. It reflects the economic conditions and employment opportunities available.

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