2026.04.3008:06:33UTC+00German Unemployment Holds at 6.4%

Germany’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4% in April 2026, unchanged from the previously revised figure and slightly above the consensus forecast of 6.3%. It remained at its highest level since July 2020, underscoring the prolonged impact of three years of economic stagnation on Europe’s largest labour market. According to the head of the Federal Employment Agency, there is still no indication of a turning point in labour market conditions, with the typical spring upturn failing to appear amid renewed economic headwinds tied to geopolitical tensions. The number of unemployed rose by 20,000 from the previous month to 3.006 million, the highest level since March 2011 and well above expectations for an increase of just 4,000. By contrast, the underemployment rate—which covers registered unemployed persons as well as individuals unable to work due to labour market programmes or short-term incapacity—ticked down by 0.1 percentage point from the prior month to 7.7%.