OR unemployment usually increases in the summer months in Germanybut in the summer, the economic downturn exerts strong pressure on the labor market, which is reflected in current elements.
The number of unemployed in Germany exceeded the threshold of three million in August for the first time since February 2015. It increased by 46,000 to 3.025 million, according to the Federal Employment Service (BA) in Nuremberg on Friday (29.8.8). The unemployment rate increased by 0.1 unit to 6.4%. “In August, what we expected: Due to the summer vacation, unemployment has increased to over three million,” BA chief Andrea Nales said.
The labor market continues to be influenced by the economic downturn of recent years. “However, there are initial signs of stabilization,” Nales said.
Adapted to seasonal fluctuations, the number of unemployed in August was 9,000 lower than in July 2025. Analysts expected an increase of 10,000. Compared to the same month last year, the number of unemployed increased by 153,000 in August.
Unemployment usually increases during the summer because companies hire fewer people before holidays and ending.
Comparison of the unemployment rate at national level shows:
- The percentage remained higher in Bremen’s cities (11.8%) and Berlin (10.5%),
- and lower in the Southern Land of Bavarian (4.2%) and Baden-Vertemberg (4.7%).
The Federal Employment Service used data available until August 13 for its statistics.
The labor market is considered an indicator of lag and is lagging behind the economy. A study by the IFO Institute based in Munich has shown that companies in Germany are undergoing more and more jobs in August due to the ongoing economic downturn. “The labor market is not coming out of the crisis,” said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of IFO research. “The stagnation of the economy forces companies to be cautious with the planning of their staff.”