Annual average unemployment figures in Germany

Annual average unemployment figures in Germany have been encouraging in recent years due to falling rates. In 2024, there were 2.78 million unemployed people, this was an increase from the year before and the highest figure since 2015.

Jobseekers

By definition, "registered as unemployed" are those who are registered with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) or a similar association providing basic social care as "being out of a job (i.e. works less than 15 hours per week), looking for a job, available for the job market." This means that not every employable person in need is unemployed. Thus, people who do not work are not automatically unemployed. Predictably, German jobseekers also use platforms such as indeed and LinkedIn to find job postings. Those who are unemployed in Germany are entitled to social security payments known as Bürgergeld each month.

Automation risk

A rising concern among employees is the threat of job loss due to automation. Larger companies in particular use industrial robots, which poses questions about the future of many manual jobs. Although different industries can rely on automation to varying extents, there are some that will be more heavily impacted than others. For example, manufacturing as well as retail trade are predicted to be some of the most heavily affected industry.

Annual average unemployment figures in Germany from 2005 to 2024 (in millions)

Characteristic	Number of unemployed in millions
2024¹	2.78
2023	2.61
2022	2.42
2021	2.61
2020	2.7
2019	2.27
2018	2.34
2017	2.53
2016	2.69
2015	2.79
2014	2.9
2013	2.95
2012	2.9
2011	2.98
2010	3.24
2009	3.41
2008	3.26
2007	3.76
2006	4.49
2005	4.86