German unemployment drops unexpectedly
October 29, 2020
The jobless figure for Germany dropped more than expected on Thursday, as Europe's largest economy appeared to be making a recovery from the first wave of COVID-19.
The number of people out of work fell by more than 35,000 to 2.86 million in concrete terms, according to the seasonally adjusted figures. The unemployment rate eased to 6.2% from 6.3% in the previous month, a far higher drop than had been expected.
The rise in unemployment in Germany and across Europe amid the coronavirus pandemic has been relatively modest by international standards, with employers taking advantage of government-backed salary support schemes.
Under Germany's furlough program, the Federal Labor Agency (BA) pays some 60% of the salary of employees who are on reduced or zero hours.
The BA said that in August, the last month for which there are reliable figures, the number of people receiving such payments fell sharply from 3.32 million in July to 2.58 million.
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The data suggested that household spending should help support growth in the fourth quarter of the year. The BA said it represented a "noticeable improvement."
"Unemployment and underemployment fell sharply... However, the labor market is still showing clear signs of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic," BA chairman Detlef Scheele said.
Despite the good news, a partial lockdown amid a second wave of the virus is expected to harm consumption.
Banking group ING's chief economist in Germany, Carsten Brzeski, told DW the latest wave of restrictions would see growth slip.
"In my view, we will definitely see a contraction of the German economy in the fourth quarter, the only question is how severe this contraction will be," he told DW.
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Germany began to ease coronavirus restrictions in late April, but Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday announced a wide range of new regulations to take effect on Monday for most of November. The measures include the closure of bars and restaurants, limits on social contacts and bans on public events.
rc/sms (dpa, Reuters, AFP, AP)