Germany Unemployment Tops 3 Mln in February

Germany’s unemployment total stood at 3.07 million in February, according to new data released Friday by the Federal Employment Agency, highlighting ongoing pressure in Europe’s largest economy.

The number of people seeking work declined by about 15,000 compared with January, signaling a slight month-on-month improvement. However, unemployment rose by around 81,000 compared with February 2025, reflecting continued labor market challenges on a yearly basis.

The unemployment rate eased to 6.5% in February, down 0.1 percentage points from January. Despite the modest monthly decline, analysts note that broader economic headwinds, including sluggish growth and industrial strain, continue to weigh on hiring activity.

Germany’s labor market has faced mounting pressures in recent months amid weaker export demand, high energy costs, and structural adjustments in key sectors such as manufacturing and automotive production.

While the February figures show short-term stabilization, economists caution that sustained improvement will depend on stronger economic performance and renewed business investment in the coming quarters.