German unemployment rises to 3.061 million in August as joblessness reaches 6.5%

National unemployment figures

The number of registered unemployed people in Germany increased in August 2026 by 54,000 month-on-month to reach 3.061 million, according to the Federal Employment Agency in Nuremberg. Compared to August 2025, the total number of unemployed individuals rose by 36,000. The national unemployment rate climbed by 0.1 percentage points to 6.5 percent, which is also 0.1 percentage points above the level recorded one year earlier. Most of the monthly increase was driven by seasonal effects related to the summer break, as the seasonally adjusted unemployment figure increased by 4,000 people. The Federal Employment Agency compiled its statistics using data collected up to 13 August 2026. Agency chairwoman Andrea Nahles commented on the lack of momentum during the release of the figures.

Even in August, the labour market shows little momentum beyond the usual seasonal pattern. The subdued development of recent months is thus continuing.

Underemployment and job vacancies

A broader measure of labor market conditions, underemployment, accounted for 3.674 million individuals in August 2026, which is 33,000 higher than in August 2025. This broader figure incorporates people enrolled in labor market policy programs as well as those with short-term work incapacity. On a seasonally adjusted basis, underemployment fell by 3,000 people compared to July 2026. Demand for new workers remained moderate, with 656,000 registered job vacancies at the agency, representing an increase of 3,000 from July and 25,000 from the prior year. The BA-X jobs index, which tracks personnel demand, held steady at 103 points and stood 4 points higher than in August 2025. Social security employment rose by 1,000 seasonally adjusted between May and June, but dropped by 73,000 year-on-year, while cyclical short-time work remained slightly elevated.

Benefits and welfare recipients

State benefit distribution showed contrasting movements across program categories. Projections indicate that 1.133 million individuals received regular unemployment benefits in August 2026, an increase of 109,000 compared to the previous year. Agency analysts attributed this rise to difficult economic conditions and broader structural shifts across industries. Conversely, the number of working-age individuals receiving basic income support (Bürgergeld) fell by 116,000 year-on-year to 3.754 million, representing 6.9 percent of the working-age population. The agency cited the integration of refugees into the workforce as one contributor to this decline, noting that some recipients remain employed while receiving support to supplement their earnings.

Regional trends in Hamburg

In the city-state of Hamburg, registered unemployment reached nearly 97,800 people, the highest level recorded in the city since May 2006. Hamburg's unemployment total rose by 946 people (1.0 percent) from July and increased by 1,430 people (1.5 percent) compared to August 2025. The regional unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points from both the previous month and the prior year to 8.6 percent. Joblessness increased above average among workers under the age of 25, while more than 2,100 vocational training positions remained open. Concurrently, reported job vacancies in Hamburg grew for the sixth consecutive month to over 15,200, the highest since March 2025, and social security employment reached 1.088 million.