Overview

• The Federal Employment Agency reported an increase of 46,000 from July to 3.025 million, lifting the rate to 6.4% and leaving unemployment 153,000 higher than a year earlier.
• Adjusted for seasonal effects, unemployment edged down by 9,000 to 2.961 million, and the IAB’s barometer points to a possible end to the upward trend.
• Regional divergence persisted, with Bremen at 11.8% and Berlin at 10.5% versus 4.2% in Bavaria and 4.7% in Baden‑Württemberg.
• Industry has shed roughly 114,000 jobs by mid‑year, while construction and parts of public services expanded, highlighting sectoral strains and pockets of resilience.
• Unemployment among non‑German nationals stands near 14.9% compared with 4.9% for Germans, as economists warn weak labor news may curb consumption and press for structural reforms.