Germany's Workforce Declines in Key Regions Despite National Growth

Thuringia, Saxony, and other eastern states see shrinking employment, contrasting with slight national and regional gains in Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein.

The number of employed people in Germany reached a national high of 46.1 million in 2024, marking a 0.2% increase compared to 2023.
Eastern states, including Thuringia and Saxony, experienced significant declines in employment, with Thuringia losing 8,400 workers (-0.8%) and Saxony seeing a 0.3% drop.
Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein bucked the trend with modest employment growth of 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively, driven by gains in the service sectors.
Regions like Baden-Württemberg and Brandenburg experienced declines in industrial and manufacturing jobs, reflecting broader economic challenges in these sectors.
Experts forecast continued struggles for 2025, with weak economic growth and rising unemployment expected to impact several regions.