Unemployed population — Unemployment in Germany
Germany: Unemployed population — Unemployment was 1,692 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployed population — Unemployment in Germany, 1962–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
Germany recorded 1,692 Persons for unemployed population — unemployment in 2025.
That represents a change of up 11.5% on the previous year and down 13.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployed population — unemployment in Germany peaked at 4,571 Persons in 2005 and was at its lowest, 147.5 Persons, in 1965.
That places Germany 10th out of 35 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployed population — Unemployment in Germany, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 154.75 Persons | — |
| 1963 | 185.5 Persons | +19.9% |
| 1964 | 169.25 Persons | -8.8% |
| 1965 | 147.5 Persons | -12.9% |
| 1966 | 161.5 Persons | +9.5% |
| 1967 | 459 Persons | +184.2% |
| 1968 | 323.5 Persons | -29.5% |
| 1969 | 178.75 Persons | -44.7% |
| 1970 | 148.75 Persons | -16.8% |
| 1971 | 185.25 Persons | +24.5% |
| 1972 | 246.5 Persons | +33.1% |
| 1973 | 273.5 Persons | +11.0% |
| 1974 | 582.5 Persons | +113.0% |
| 1975 | 1,074 Persons | +84.5% |
| 1976 | 1,061 Persons | -1.3% |
| 1977 | 1,030 Persons | -2.9% |
| 1978 | 993 Persons | -3.6% |
| 1979 | 876 Persons | -11.8% |
| 1980 | 888.75 Persons | +1.5% |
| 1981 | 1,272 Persons | +43.1% |
| 1982 | 1,833 Persons | +44.1% |
| 1983 | 2,258 Persons | +23.2% |
| 1984 | 2,265 Persons | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 2,304 Persons | +1.7% |
| 1986 | 2,228 Persons | -3.3% |
| 1987 | 2,229 Persons | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 2,241 Persons | +0.5% |
| 1989 | 2,038 Persons | -9.1% |
| 1990 | 1,883 Persons | -7.6% |
| 1991 | 2,204 Persons | +17.0% |
| 1992 | 2,615 Persons | +18.6% |
| 1993 | 3,113 Persons | +19.1% |
| 1994 | 3,318 Persons | +6.6% |
| 1995 | 3,200 Persons | -3.6% |
| 1996 | 3,505 Persons | +9.5% |
| 1997 | 3,907 Persons | +11.5% |
| 1998 | 3,693 Persons | -5.5% |
| 1999 | 3,333 Persons | -9.7% |
| 2000 | 3,065 Persons | -8.0% |
| 2001 | 3,109 Persons | +1.4% |
| 2002 | 3,438 Persons | +10.6% |
| 2003 | 3,838 Persons | +11.6% |
| 2004 | 3,920 Persons | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 4,571 Persons | +16.6% |
| 2006 | 4,245 Persons | -7.1% |
| 2007 | 3,601 Persons | -15.2% |
| 2008 | 3,136 Persons | -12.9% |
| 2009 | 3,228 Persons | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 2,845 Persons | -11.9% |
| 2011 | 2,399 Persons | -15.7% |
| 2012 | 2,224 Persons | -7.3% |
| 2013 | 2,182 Persons | -1.9% |
| 2014 | 2,090 Persons | -4.2% |
| 2015 | 1,950 Persons | -6.7% |
| 2016 | 1,774 Persons | -9.0% |
| 2017 | 1,621 Persons | -8.6% |
| 2018 | 1,468 Persons | -9.5% |
| 2019 | 1,373 Persons | -6.5% |
| 2020 | 1,658 Persons | +20.7% |
| 2021 | 1,517 Persons | -8.5% |
| 2022 | 1,355 Persons | -10.7% |
| 2023 | 1,342 Persons | -0.9% |
| 2024 | 1,518 Persons | +13.1% |
| 2025 | 1,692 Persons | +11.5% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 1,692 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 338.16 Persons, 5.0× the median. (30 countries reporting)
- Germany's 1,692 Persons is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 307.41 Persons, 5.5× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Unemployed population — Unemployment in Germany changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | +184.2% | 161.5 Persons | 459 Persons |
| 1974 | +113.0% | 273.5 Persons | 582.5 Persons |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 222.47 Persons | 147.5 Persons | 459 Persons | 8 |
| 1970s | 647.05 Persons | 148.75 Persons | 1,074 Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,956 Persons | 888.75 Persons | 2,304 Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,077 Persons | 1,883 Persons | 3,907 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 3,615 Persons | 3,065 Persons | 4,571 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,993 Persons | 1,373 Persons | 2,845 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,514 Persons | 1,342 Persons | 1,692 Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near Germany
- 7 Colombia 2,326 Persons compare
- 7 Lithuania 107.83 Persons compare
- 8 Japan 1,758 Persons compare
- 8 Latvia 65.8 Persons compare
- 9 United Kingdom 1,740 Persons compare
- 9 Estonia 56.17 Persons compare
- 10 Slovenia 40.15 Persons compare
- 11 Mexico 1,612 Persons compare
- 12 Italy 1,576 Persons compare
- 13 Canada 1,539 Persons compare
More work & labour data for Germany
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0549 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0322 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.95 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.0388 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 66,826 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 12,413 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 35,391 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 35,508 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 70,900 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployed population — unemployment in Germany?
- Unemployed population — unemployment in Germany was 1,692 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 4,571 Persons in 2005.
- What is the lowest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 147.5 Persons in 1965.
- How does Germany rank for unemployed population — unemployment?
- Germany ranks 10th out of 35 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployed population — unemployment rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Unemployed population — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the unemployed population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the unemployed population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and for selected other economies. Chile, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom publish Labour Force Survey (LFS) data using a rolling quarter methodology. The OECD treats the middle month of the rolling quarter as the reference month. As a result, the publication of monthly LFS data for these countries may be delayed by one month or more relative to the OECD reference month. The unemployed are persons in their working age who, in the reference period, do not have a job; are available for work; and, have taken specific steps to find a job. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.