The average unemployment rate was six percent in Germany in 2024. Since 2005, the rate of unemployment has generally been declining, though a slight increase was evident in recent years. Unemployment in Germany and comparison with other countries Germany has a comparatively low unemployment rate compared to its European neighbors, and they are expected to stay at around three percent over the next few years. This is a result of the damage the economy suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, most businesses were closed, and many companies lost revenue meaning employees were let go. It is also possible that higher unemployment figures will continue into later years because of inflation and rising energy prices. There is also a slightly higher unemployment rate among men than there is among women. Social support Social support is money paid out to those who are unable to work for some reason, its purpose is to protect those who are most vulnerable. The status of being unemployed is defined as when an employed person is laid off, fired, or quits his work and is still looking for a job, this is what qualifies someone to receive a citizens allowance (Bürgergeld) in Germany. The payments are only made if you are unemployed and worked for the last 12 months. Otherwise, benefits are received in the form of Arbeitslosengeld II, also called Hartz IV, which distributes social payments to people without an income who cannot work to make a living. Since January 2023 though, Arbeitlosengeld has been replaced by Bürgergeld, since this is a new transition, it is still possible that people will still refer to the benefits as Arbeitlosengeld or Hartz IV.

The city-state of Bremen had an unemployment rate of 11.7 percent in February 2025. This put the city's unemployment rate well above that of the other federal states. The lowest unemployment rate in Germany was found in the state of Bavaria, with only 4.2 percent. The total unemployment rate in Germany was around 6.4 percent.

The unemployment rate in Germany declined to 3.04 percent in 2023. The unemployment rate thereby reached its lowest value in recent years. The unemployment rate of a country or region refers to the share of the total workforce that is currently without work, but actively searching for employment. It does not include economically inactive persons, such as children, retirees, or the long-term unemployed.Find more key insights for the unemployment rate in countries like Austria.

Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 50 & 65 data was reported at 6.100 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.200 % for Jan 2025. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 50 & 65 data is updated monthly, averaging 6.400 % from May 2007 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 214 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.100 % in May 2007 and a record low of 4.700 % in Nov 2019. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 50 & 65 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G021: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Foreigners data was reported at 15.700 % in Feb 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 15.700 % for Jan 2025. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Foreigners data is updated monthly, averaging 14.800 % from May 2007 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 214 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.800 % in May 2007 and a record low of 11.500 % in May 2022. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Foreigners data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G021: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Monthly Unemployment Total: 15 Years or over for Germany (LFHUTTTTDEM647N) from Jan 1991 to Jan 2025 about Germany and unemployment.

In January 2025, the German unemployment rate was 6.4 percent, a slight increase compared to the previous month. The rate of unemployment was fairly stable throughout the timeframe under review.

Registered Unemployment Rate: West Germany: Baden Wurttemberg data was reported at 4.600 % in Feb 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.600 % for Jan 2025. Registered Unemployment Rate: West Germany: Baden Wurttemberg data is updated monthly, averaging 4.300 % from Apr 1997 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 335 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.000 % in Jan 1998 and a record low of 3.000 % in Jun 2019. Registered Unemployment Rate: West Germany: Baden Wurttemberg data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G021: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Dependent Labour Force (DL) data was reported at 7.000 % in Feb 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 7.000 % for Jan 2025. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Dependent Labour Force (DL) data is updated monthly, averaging 8.600 % from Jan 1991 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 410 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.100 % in Mar 2005 and a record low of 5.300 % in Nov 2019. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Dependent Labour Force (DL) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G021: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Registered Unemployment Rate: East Germany: Thuringen data was reported at 6.600 % in Feb 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 6.600 % for Jan 2025. Registered Unemployment Rate: East Germany: Thuringen data is updated monthly, averaging 9.200 % from Apr 1997 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 335 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.500 % in Feb 1998 and a record low of 4.800 % in Nov 2021. Registered Unemployment Rate: East Germany: Thuringen data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G021: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Germany - Youth unemployment rate (15-24) was 3.20% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Germany - Youth unemployment rate (15-24) - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, Germany - Youth unemployment rate (15-24) reached a record high of 5.80% in December of 2009 and a record low of 3.00% in December of 2019.

Germany - Unemployment rates of the population aged 25-64: Tertiary education (levels 5-8) was 2.20% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Germany - Unemployment rates of the population aged 25-64: Tertiary education (levels 5-8) - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, Germany - Unemployment rates of the population aged 25-64: Tertiary education (levels 5-8) reached a record high of 3.40% in December of 2009 and a record low of 1.80% in December of 2019.

Graph and download economic data for Adjusted Unemployment Rate in Germany (DISCONTINUED) (DEUURAMS) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2013 about adjusted, Germany, unemployment, and rate.

Germany - Unemployment rate: From 20 to 64 years was 3.00% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Germany - Unemployment rate: From 20 to 64 years - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, Germany - Unemployment rate: From 20 to 64 years reached a record high of 11.20% in December of 2005 and a record low of 3.00% in December of 2023.

In 2025, the unemployment rate was 15.7 percent. This was mostly unchanged from the previous year. The unemployment rate represents the share of unemployed people in the total civilian labor force (employees, civilian labor force, self-employed persons and contributing family members; here in relation to foreigners) and is an indicative indicator of the labor market and employment situation as well as part of the unemployment statistics.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Female: From 15 to 64 Years for Germany (LFUN64FEDEQ647S) from Q1 2005 to Q3 2024 about 15 to 64 years, females, Germany, and unemployment.

Registered Unemployment Rate: West Germany: Hamburg data was reported at 8.300 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.400 % for Jan 2025. Registered Unemployment Rate: West Germany: Hamburg data is updated monthly, averaging 8.100 % from Apr 1997 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 335 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.300 % in Jan 1998 and a record low of 5.900 % in Dec 2018. Registered Unemployment Rate: West Germany: Hamburg data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G021: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Residents data was reported at 4.700 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.800 % for Jan 2025. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Residents data is updated monthly, averaging 5.200 % from May 2007 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 214 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.300 % in May 2007 and a record low of 3.900 % in Dec 2022. Germany Registered Unemployment Rate: Residents data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G021: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Germany - Unemployment rate: From 15 to 24 years was 5.90% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Germany - Unemployment rate: From 15 to 24 years - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, Germany - Unemployment rate: From 15 to 24 years reached a record high of 15.50% in December of 2005 and a record low of 5.80% in December of 2019.

In 2023, the youth unemployment rate in Germany did not change in comparison to the previous year. The youth unemployment rate remained at 5.96 percent. The youth unemployment rate of a country or region refers to the share of the total workforce aged 15 to 24 that is currently without work, but actively searching for employment. It does not include economically inactive persons such as full-time students or the long-term unemployed.Find more statistics on other topics about Germany with key insights such as labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64.