1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
German coalition collapseDonald TrumpCOP29

Jobless rate

December 1, 2009

Unemployment dropped in November for the fifth consecutive month, according to data released by the Federal Labor Agency. The figures are another sign that Europe's largest economy is on its way to recovery.

https://p.dw.com/p/Kmio
Construction workers
Unemployment in Germany continues to fallImage: dpa - Bildfunk

Germany's Federal Labor Agency announced on Tuesday that the number people out of work in the country dropped by 13,000 from October to November.

According to the agency, the overall unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percent to 7.6 percent.

"The effects of (the recession) on joblessness and employment have been much less dramatic than had been feared by many," said agency chief Frank-Juergen Weise.

Although there are 227,000 more people without a job now than there were a year ago, Weise said he was optimistic that the situation would improve in 2010.

Despite suffering through the most difficult economy since the end of World War II, Germany has avoided mass layoffs.

Officials credit government-subsidized reduced-hour programs with helping companies reduce costs without cutting personnel. Last week Berlin approved the extension of the program for another 18 months.

hf/AFP/AP/dpa
Editor: Kyle James

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Even with the economy weak, unemployment fell last month

The latest jobless figures are in for Germany, and even with the economy weak, unemployment fell last month. The labour office says that's because companies are taking advantages of government incentives to put workers on short-time rather than laying them off. +++CO-REIN+++ In all, 3- Mmillion, 215 thousand people were registered as unemployed in Germany in November. That's 13- thousand FEWER than in the previous month. The unemployment rate in Germany is now 7.6- percent.
December 1, 2009
Stacks of euro currency notes

Merkel calls meeting with bankers to head off credit crunch

Merkel calls meeting with bankers to head off credit crunch

Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that a tightening credit environment could put the brakes on economic recovery. She’s called a meeting of bankers in a bid to remove bottlenecks in cash-flow for businesses. (28.11.2009)
November 28, 2009
Chancellor Angela Merkel speaking to parliament

Chancellor Merkel defends debt-financed tax cuts

Chancellor Merkel defends debt-financed tax cuts

Rejecting concerns voiced by her critics, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her government's plans in the coming years to take on more debt to finance tax cuts. (14.11.2009)
November 14, 2009
Show more stories