Germany: jobs and pay

How many people are unemployed in Germany?

2,994,000 people were registered as unemployed in Germany in September 2026, 67,000 fewer than in August but 40,000 more than a year earlier, according to the Federal Employment Agency's labour market report for September 2026. The registered unemployment rate was 6.4%. On the international ILO definition, Destatis measured unemployment at 4.3% in August.

The two measures differ: the agency counts people registered at job centres and employment agencies, while the ILO rate comes from a survey and counts anyone without work who is looking and available. The agency's wider underemployment measure, which includes people in labour market programmes, was 3,615,000. The agency publishes its figures at a press conference at the end of each month.

Official sources: Federal Employment Agency: labour market in September 2026

What is the retirement age in Germany?

The standard retirement age in Germany is rising in steps to 67, according to section 235 of Book VI of the Social Code, published by the Federal Ministry of Justice. People born in 1960 reach it at 66 years and 4 months, those born in 1961 at 66 years and 6 months, and those born in 1963 at 66 years and 10 months. For people born in 1964 or later, it is 67.

This is the age for the full standard old-age pension; it also requires the general qualifying period of insurance to have been completed. Earlier retirement is possible under separate rules, usually with deductions. Deutsche Rentenversicherung gives individual retirement dates in its pension information.

Official sources: Social Code VI, section 235

How much did German pensions rise in 2026?

The pension value, the amount paid per pension point, was set at €42.52 from 1 July 2026, according to the Pension Value Regulation 2026, published by the Federal Ministry of Justice. The 2025 regulation had set it at €40.79 from 1 July 2025, so statutory pensions rose by about 4.2% this year.

A monthly pension is the number of pension points earned over a working life multiplied by this value, so every pension in payment rises by the same percentage. The value is adjusted each 1 July by regulation, following wage growth under a legal formula. Deductions for health and long-term care insurance mean the net increase can be slightly different.

Official sources: Pension Value Regulation 2026 · Pension Value Regulation 2025

How many people work in Germany?

About 45.41 million people resident in Germany were in employment in August 2026, according to the Destatis employment accounts, a seasonally adjusted fall on the previous month. The Federal Employment Agency's September report gives 34.68 million employees paying social insurance contributions in July 2026, 84,000 fewer than a year before, plus 7.61 million people in marginal employment (minijobs).

The Destatis figure counts everyone working at least one hour a week, including self-employed people and civil servants, so it is larger than the count of insured employees. The agency's insured-employment figures are projections at first and become final after about three months.

Official sources: Destatis: employment · Federal Employment Agency: labour market in September 2026

How many job vacancies are there in Germany?

660,000 vacancies were registered with the Federal Employment Agency in September 2026, 30,000 more than a year earlier, according to its labour market report for September 2026. The agency's job index BA-X, which also reflects new vacancies being reported, rose 1 point to 104 in September but was 6 points lower than a year before.

Registered vacancies are only the jobs employers choose to report to the agency, so they understate total demand for workers. The agency describes demand for labour as weak. Vacancy figures are published monthly with the unemployment figures, and regional breakdowns are in the agency's statistics portal.

Official sources: Federal Employment Agency: labour market in September 2026

How much is basic income support in Germany?

The standard monthly rate for a single adult is €563 in 2026, unchanged since 1 January 2024, according to the annex to Book XII of the Social Code, published by the Federal Ministry of Justice. Adult partners each receive €506, and children receive €357 to €471 depending on age. The Federal Employment Agency reports 3,704,000 people able to work were receiving basic income support in September 2026, 145,000 fewer than a year earlier.

The standard rate covers everyday needs; reasonable housing and heating costs are paid on top. The rates in this annex also apply to the jobseekers' basic income scheme. They are reviewed each year against price and wage changes.

Official sources: Social Code XII, annex (standard rates) · Federal Employment Agency: labour market in September 2026

What is Germany's minimum wage?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Germany at 2,343 EUR a month in 2026. That is the highest since at least 2015.

What is the average wage in Germany?

$4,647 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Germany for 2022, according to the ILO. Since 2012 it has ranged from $3,082 a month (2015) to $5,170 a month (2020). It is 8th highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $1,771 a month. Of 98 countries with 2022 data, 9th highest.

What is Germany's unemployment rate?

3.7%: that is the unemployment rate in Germany for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 11.2% in 2005 and the low 3.1% in 2023. It is 38th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 114th highest.

How many young people in Germany are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 6.9%. The peak was 15.5% in 2005 and the low 5.9% in 2019. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 14.2%, and Germany placed 45th highest of 47. Worldwide: 134th of 174.

How many people in Germany are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Germany was 60.6%, according to the ILO. The peak was 61.3% in 2019 and the low 58.3% in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 60.3%; Germany is 21st highest of 47. Worldwide: 96th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Germany?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 55.3%. The peak was 55.8% in 2023 and the low 50.7% in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Germany is 20th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 75th highest.

What share of adults in Germany have a job?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 58.3%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 51.8% (2005) to 59.4% (2019). It is 18th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. World rank, highest first: 85th of 174.

How many workers in Germany are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 4.3%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 46th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. World rank, highest first: 166th of 174.

What share of jobs in Germany are salaried?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Germany was 91.9%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 85.5%, and Germany placed 5th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 13th highest.