Economy, jobs and prices in Emsland (Lower Saxony, Germany): official figures
GDP per person was 48,400 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2023, 126% of the EU average (117% for Germany); 86th highest of 400 districts in Germany.
How big is the economy of Emsland?
The local economy produced €18.1 billion of output (GDP) in 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Emsland?
About 204,540 people worked in Emsland in 2023 (employment by place of work).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Emsland?
In 2023, Emsland recorded an unemployment rate of 3.3%, compared with 5.0% in the median German district, which ranks it 69th lowest of 400 districts. That is up from 2.4% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow high is youth unemployment in Emsland?
The unemployment rate among under-25s in Emsland was 2.8% in 2023, 83rd lowest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 4.4%. In 2019 the figure was 2.1%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many long-term unemployed are there in Emsland?
At 28.3% in 2023, the share of jobless people unemployed for a year or longer in Emsland ranked 140th lowest of 400 German districts (district median 31.8%). In 2019 the figure was 20.2%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Emsland?
In 2023, Emsland recorded a median monthly gross wage of full-time employees of €3,527, compared with €3,604 in the median German district, which ranks it 173rd lowest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was €3,178.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the gender pay gap in Emsland?
At 82.2% in 2023, the median full-time wage of women as a share of men's in Emsland ranked 48th lowest of 400 German districts (district median 88.5%). In 2019 the figure was 77.0%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the purchasing power in Emsland?
At €28,319 in 2023, the purchasing power per resident in Emsland ranked 119th lowest of 400 German districts (district median €29,371). In 2019 the figure was €22,364.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many mini-jobs are there in Emsland?
At 20.8% in 2023, the share of private-sector jobs that are low-paid 'mini-jobs' in Emsland ranked 150th highest of 400 German districts (district median 19.7%). It was 22.0% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people commute to Emsland?
In 2023, Emsland recorded a commuter balance (net commuters per 100 jobs) of +3.8, compared with -11.7 in the median German district, which ranks it 106th highest of 400 districts. It was +4.4 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many businesses go bankrupt in Emsland?
In 2023, Emsland had 3.7 company insolvency applications per 1,000 businesses, compared with 3.9 in the median German district, which ranks it 186th lowest of 400 districts. It was 3.1 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Emsland?
The largest part of the economy of Emsland in 2023 was industry (manufacturing, mining and energy), at 33.9% of gross value added, followed by finance, property and business services (18.5%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Emsland?
Factories, mines and energy produced 33.9% of the value added in Emsland in 2023, against 24.5% for Germany.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Emsland growing?
Gross value added rose from €10.6 billion in 2015 to €16.5 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 55% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Emsland?
Of the 204,540 jobs located in Emsland in 2023, 28% in public services, education, health and other services, 24% in industry and 4.0% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Emsland?
The number of people working in Emsland rose by 12.4% between 2015 and 2023, to 204,540.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Emsland compares with other districts in Germany
Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) (2023)
Emsland ranks 332 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Arbeitslosen an den zivilen Erwerbspersonen in %
| Rank | Area | Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 329 | Garmisch-Partenkirchen | 3.3% |
| 330 | Neustadt a. d. Waldnaab | 3.3% |
| 331 | Deggendorf | 3.3% |
| 332 | Emsland | 3.3% |
| 333 | Grafschaft Bentheim | 3.2% |
| 334 | Passau, Landkreis | 3.2% |
| 335 | Bodenseekreis | 3.2% |
Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) (2023)
Emsland ranks 228 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Medianeinkommen der sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Euro
| Rank | Area | Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 225 | Straubing, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,535 |
| 226 | Günzburg | €3,530 |
| 227 | Schwabach, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,530 |
| 228 | Emsland | €3,527 |
| 229 | Westerwaldkreis | €3,522 |
| 230 | Limburg-Weilburg | €3,521 |
| 231 | Südliche Weinstraße | €3,515 |
Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) (2023)
Emsland ranks 282 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kaufkraft je Einwohner in Euro
| Rank | Area | Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 279 | Lüchow-Dannenberg | €28,347 |
| 280 | Hof, Landkreis | €28,338 |
| 281 | Birkenfeld | €28,326 |
| 282 | Emsland | €28,319 |
| 283 | Schwerin, Kreisfreie Stadt | €28,285 |
| 284 | Meißen | €28,276 |
| 285 | Lichtenfels | €28,274 |
Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) (2023)
Emsland ranks 151 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: SV Beschäftigte am Wohnort je 100 Einwohner im erwerbsfähigen Alter in %
| Rank | Area | Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) |
|---|---|---|
| 148 | Gifhorn | 67.5% |
| 149 | Karlsruhe, Landkreis | 67.5% |
| 150 | Altenburger Land | 67.5% |
| 151 | Emsland | 67.5% |
| 152 | Weilheim-Schongau | 67.5% |
| 153 | Aichach-Friedberg | 67.5% |
| 154 | Eichstätt | 67.5% |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Emsland ranks 89 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | Hildburghausen | 34.2% |
| 87 | Lahn-Dill-Kreis | 34.0% |
| 88 | Esslingen | 34.0% |
| 89 | Emsland | 33.9% |
| 90 | Saarpfalz-Kreis | 33.8% |
| 91 | Main-Tauber-Kreis | 33.7% |
| 92 | Hof, Landkreis | 33.6% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Emsland ranks 323 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 320 | Ostprignitz-Ruppin | 18.5% |
| 321 | Vechta | 18.5% |
| 322 | Ansbach, Kreisfreie Stadt | 18.5% |
| 323 | Emsland | 18.5% |
| 324 | Pfaffenhofen a. d. Ilm | 18.5% |
| 325 | Mecklenburgische Seenplatte | 18.4% |
| 326 | Rhön-Grabfeld | 18.4% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Emsland ranks 353 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 350 | Ostalbkreis | 16.3% |
| 351 | Wesermarsch | 16.3% |
| 352 | Hof, Landkreis | 16.1% |
| 353 | Emsland | 16.1% |
| 354 | Main-Spessart | 16.0% |
| 355 | Rottweil | 15.8% |
| 356 | Neumarkt i. d. OPf. | 15.7% |
More on Emsland: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Lower Saxony · Germany
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3gdp: GDP per person, PPS (NUTS 3), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3bf0fc662f56…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3gdp: GDP, million euros (NUTS 3), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 096e15e5fdb3…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3empers: Employment, thousand people (NUTS 3), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 664e4e3a6dc0…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3empers: Employment (thousand persons) by NUTS 3 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 222a97c302d3…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3gva: Gross value added at basic prices by NUTS 3 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c656e8563bdf…)
- Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung: INKAR – Indikatoren und Karten zur Raum- und Stadtentwicklung: 43 district (Kreise) indicators, 2012-2024 (table service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c743f54caf6…)
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