Unemployed academics in Germany reach a record 372,000 in August 2026

A record number of unemployed graduates

The number of unemployed academics in Germany has reached a record high. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) in Nuremberg said the figure climbed to 372,000 in August 2026. According to the agency, the number has risen continuously over the past five years.

Young graduates hit hardest

Recent graduates under 30 are particularly affected by the rise. The agency also says young people entering their first jobs face the greatest pressure. Education nevertheless remains largely a safeguard against unemployment.

The academic unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in 2025, roughly half the rate for the overall population. People with a completed vocational qualification had a rate of 3.6 percent, while people without a vocational qualification were above 21 percent.

Differences between subjects

The statistics show clear gaps between fields of study. Teaching graduates were almost never out of work in 2025, with rates below 2 percent. Humanities graduates had a rate of 4.6 percent, above the average, and engineers 3.8 percent, also above the average.

Academics overall3.3%

People with vocational qualification3.6%

Humanities graduates4.6%

Engineers3.8%

Academics overall

3.3 %

People with vocational qualification

3.6 %

Humanities graduates

4.6 %

Engineers

3.8 %

Data from the article text

Causes cited by the agency

The agency names the tense economic situation and the growing use of artificial intelligence as the main reasons for the rise. Young people in entry-level positions are especially exposed to these pressures. The agency nevertheless assumes that AI will not displace entire occupations.