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German joblessness at record low

April 28, 2016

Germany has kept unemployment at historic lows, indicating that the recovery of Europe's biggest economy remains on track. The domestic labor market seems unfazed by global uncertainties and the influx of refugees.

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Siemens worker
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Jensen

Official data showed Thursday that Germany's unemployment rate dropped to 6.3 percent in April, a further sign that growth in the country had accelerated in the early part of the year.

The Federal Labor Office (BA) said the unadjusted jobless rate was down from 6.5 percent in the previous month, with a total of 2.74 million people registered as unemployed.

The number of jobless people declined by 101,000 people in raw terms, leaving a plus of 16,000 people in adjusted terms.

More vacancies

Right now, unemployment stands at the lowest level since the nation reunited in 1990, the Labor Office emphasized.

"In view of the global uncertainties, economic expectations are pointing to a moderate upturn," BA chief Frank-Jürgen Weise said in a statement. "The labor market is continuing to develop positively."

The labor office added the number of vacancies rose by 89,000 to 640,000 in April. Companies are facing big problems in hiring suitable workers particularly in the electronics, logistics and energy sectors.

hg/cjc (AFP, dpa)