German unemployment dips back below 3 million

The number of unemployed people in Germany fell back below 3 million in September, to 2.994 million, the Federal Employment Agency said on Wednesday.

Compared with August, this represents a decrease of 67,000 people - however it is an increase of 40,000 compared with September 2025.

The unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points from August to 6.4%, but was 0.1 percentage points higher than in September 2025.

"In September, the autumn revival begins in the labour market," said Andrea Nahles, chair of the Federal Employment Agency's executive board. "However, the start is lacklustre," she added. "The economic improvement has not yet reached the labour market."

Demand for workers in Germany remains weak. In September, 660,000 vacancies were registered with the Federal Employment Agency. That is 30,000 more than a year ago.

Fewer on basic income support

In September, 1.082 million people received unemployment benefit, 85,000 more than a year ago. The number of working-age recipients of basic income support stood at 3.704 million in September. This is 145,000 fewer than in the same month last year.

Regionally, Bremen continues to record the highest unemployment rate in Germany at 11.2%, followed by Berlin at 10.4%. The lowest rates remain in the southern states of Bavaria (4.2%) and Baden-Württemberg (4.7%). According to the Employment Agency, two eastern German states - Thuringia and Brandenburg (6.3% each) - are also below the national average.