Overview

• The number of unemployed rose by 46,000 in August to 3.025 million, lifting the jobless rate to 6.4%, according to the Federal Employment Agency using data through August 13.
• Seasonally adjusted, unemployment declined by 9,000 versus July, pointing to a primarily summer-driven uptick.
• The IAB labor-market barometer shows the first expectations since 2022 that the increase in unemployment will end, with agencies seeing potential for employment to regain momentum.
• Regional gaps remain pronounced, with rates highest in Bremen at 11.8% and Berlin at 10.5% and lowest in Bavaria at 4.2% and Baden‑Württemberg at 4.7%.
• Manufacturing has shed large numbers of jobs year on year, while surveys still count around 1.2 million open positions in spring, underscoring a skills mismatch.