Overview

• Germany’s jobless total fell by just 5,000 in June to 2.914 million, keeping the unemployment rate at 6.2 percent and 188,000 higher than a year earlier.
• The Federal Employment Agency logged 632,000 vacancies last month, a year-on-year decrease of 69,000 as firms remain cautious about new hires.
• Labour markets diverged regionally as Baden-Württemberg saw a marginal 0.1 percent unemployment dip to 289,307 jobless and Rheinland-Pfalz experienced a 0.6 percent rise to 124,700.
• Apprenticeship demand outstripped supply for the fifth consecutive month, with 396,000 applicants registered since October against 455,000 available training positions.
• Officials warn that without targeted structural reforms and cost relief, Germany’s labour market will remain under pressure until late 2025.