Labor market Number of unemployed in Germany falls slightly in April
Even at the beginning of spring, there was no turnaround on the labor market in Germany. The number of unemployed people in Germany fell by 13,000 in April compared to the previous month, but at 3.008 million it is still above the three million mark.
30.04.2026, 10:25
30.04.2026, 10:26
SDA
Compared to April 2025, the number of unemployed rose by 77,000, as announced by the Federal Employment Agency on Thursday. The unemployment rate in April was unchanged compared to March at 6.4 percent. In April 2025, it had stood at 6.3 percent.
No trend reversal
"A trend reversal on the labor market is not yet in sight," said Andrea Nahles, CEO of the Federal Employment Agency, in Nuremberg. "The spring recovery was also weak in April." In April 2025, the spring recovery was significantly greater with a drop of 36,000 unemployed in April, but was already considered weak at the time. For the statistics, the Federal Agency used data that was available up to April 13.
The demand for labour has at least no longer dropped significantly, but has stabilized at a low level. In April, 641,000 vacancies were registered with the employment agencies. That is 5000 fewer than a year ago.
Unemployment benefits for over one million people
According to the Nuremberg statisticians, 1.07 million people in Germany received unemployment benefits in April. That is 93,000 more than a year ago.
3.826 million people capable of working received citizens' benefits. That is 125,000 fewer than a year ago. People receive citizen's allowance not only if they are not working, but also if they have to top up their low wages in order to reach the minimum subsistence level.
