Germany’s unemployment rate rose to 6.1% in November 2025, with 2.885 million people registered as unemployed, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) and the Federal Employment Agency on January 30, 2026.
The November figure represents an increase of 26,000 unemployed individuals compared to the previous month, and an increase of 111,000 compared to the same period last year. The unemployment rate, while still below the EU27 average, has been steadily climbing, mirroring a broader economic slowdown in Europe’s largest economy.
The number of people employed subject to social insurance contributions remained relatively stable at 35.232 million in September 2025, showing a slight increase of 12,000 compared to the previous year. But, the data likewise reveals a growing trend of underemployment, with 3.544 million people working fewer hours than they would like, or unable to uncover full-time positions. The underemployment rate stands at 7.4%.
The labor market challenges come after a period of relative stability. In 2023, Germany’s employment rate was 77.2%, exceeding the EU27 average of 70.4%. The employment rate for women was 73.6%, and for men, 80.8%, with youth employment at 50.8% – all figures above the EU average. However, recent economic headwinds, including high energy prices and global supply chain disruptions, are impacting the labor market.
According to EURES, the European Employment Services, Germany’s gross domestic product per inhabitant was EUR 46,300 in 2022, significantly higher than the EU27 average of EUR 35,400. However, the economic outlook for 2026 remains uncertain. A report from Reuters on January 7, 2026, indicated that Germany experienced its highest number of unemployed in twelve years in 2025, and the labor office anticipates continued challenges this year.
The Federal Employment Agency reported 623,934 notified vacancies in November 2025, a decrease of 43,779 compared to the previous year. Minor employment, encompassing part-time and temporary positions, totaled 7.627 million, experiencing a slight decrease of 15,800.
Destatis data indicates that employment in December 2025 fell slightly by 5,000, to roughly 45.9 million persons resident in Germany. This followed a similar trend in the preceding months, with an average monthly decrease of 11,000 between May and November 2025.
The Federal Statistical Office is scheduled to release further data on employment and unemployment for December 2025 on February 16, 2026.
