Economy, jobs and prices in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt (Lower Saxony, Germany): official figures
GDP per person was 43,500 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2023, 113% of the EU average (117% for Germany); 115th highest of 400 districts in Germany.
How big is the economy of Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The local economy produced €3.7 billion of output (GDP) in 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt?
About 45,150 people worked in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 (employment by place of work).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Wilhelmshaven?
The unemployment rate in the city of Wilhelmshaven was 11.0% in 2023, 7th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 5.0%. In 2019 the figure was 10.3%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow high is youth unemployment in Wilhelmshaven?
The unemployment rate among under-25s in the city of Wilhelmshaven was 7.2% in 2023, 59th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 4.4%. That is up from 7.1% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many long-term unemployed are there in Wilhelmshaven?
In 2023, the city of Wilhelmshaven recorded a share of jobless people unemployed for a year or longer of 40.4%, compared with 31.8% in the median German district, which ranks it 50th highest of 400 districts. It was also 40.4% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Wilhelmshaven?
At €3,610 in 2023, the median monthly gross wage of full-time employees in the city of Wilhelmshaven ranked 195th highest of 400 German districts (district median €3,604). That is up from €3,265 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the gender pay gap in Wilhelmshaven?
In 2023, the city of Wilhelmshaven recorded a median full-time wage of women as a share of men's of 90.1%, compared with 88.5% in the median German district, which ranks it 155th highest of 400 districts. That is up from 85.6% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the purchasing power in Wilhelmshaven?
In 2023, the city of Wilhelmshaven recorded a purchasing power per resident of €27,255, compared with €29,371 in the median German district, which ranks it 61st lowest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was €21,603.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many mini-jobs are there in Wilhelmshaven?
In 2023, the city of Wilhelmshaven recorded a share of private-sector jobs that are low-paid 'mini-jobs' of 15.9%, compared with 19.7% in the median German district, which ranks it 100th lowest of 400 districts. That is down from 19.4% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people commute to Wilhelmshaven?
At +13.8 in 2023, the commuter balance (net commuters per 100 jobs) in the city of Wilhelmshaven ranked 72nd highest of 400 German districts (district median -11.7). It was +15.6 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many businesses go bankrupt in Wilhelmshaven?
The number of company insolvency applications per 1,000 businesses in the city of Wilhelmshaven was 5.1 in 2023, 95th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 3.9. That is down from 7.2 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The largest part of the economy of Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 was public administration, education, health and other services, at 42.9% of gross value added, followed by industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (20.5%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Factories, mines and energy produced 20.5% of the value added in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023, against 24.5% for Germany.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt growing?
Gross value added rose from €2.6 billion in 2015 to €3.4 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 31% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Of the 45,150 jobs located in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023, 52% in public services, education, health and other services, 11% in industry and 0.1% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The number of people working in Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt fell by 1.2% between 2015 and 2023, to 45,150.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt compares with other districts in Germany
Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) (2023)
Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 7 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Arbeitslosen an den zivilen Erwerbspersonen in %
| Rank | Area | Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Pirmasens, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.5% |
| 5 | Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.5% |
| 6 | Hagen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.4% |
| 7 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.0% |
| 8 | Herne, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.0% |
| 9 | Uckermark | 10.7% |
| 10 | Essen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 10.6% |
Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) (2023)
Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 195 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Medianeinkommen der sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Euro
| Rank | Area | Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 192 | Paderborn | €3,614 |
| 193 | Pinneberg | €3,612 |
| 194 | Celle | €3,611 |
| 195 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,610 |
| 196 | Rhein-Sieg-Kreis | €3,609 |
| 197 | Rosenheim, Landkreis | €3,609 |
| 198 | Dachau | €3,609 |
Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) (2023)
Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 340 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kaufkraft je Einwohner in Euro
| Rank | Area | Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 337 | Erfurt, Kreisfreie Stadt | €27,319 |
| 338 | Bautzen | €27,282 |
| 339 | Dresden, Kreisfreie Stadt | €27,262 |
| 340 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | €27,255 |
| 341 | Chemnitz, Kreisfreie Stadt | €27,237 |
| 342 | Emden, Kreisfreie Stadt | €27,218 |
| 343 | Kassel, Kreisfreie Stadt | €27,213 |
Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) (2023)
Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 385 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 382 | Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt | 58.0% |
| 383 | Bremen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 57.6% |
| 384 | Oberhausen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 57.5% |
| 385 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 57.4% |
| 386 | Bremerhaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 57.2% |
| 387 | Kiel, Kreisfreie Stadt | 56.8% |
| 388 | Städteregion Aachen | 56.6% |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 273 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 270 | Hamm, Kreisfreie Stadt | 20.8% |
| 271 | Fulda | 20.8% |
| 272 | Viersen | 20.6% |
| 273 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 20.5% |
| 274 | Ammerland | 20.4% |
| 275 | Schleswig-Flensburg | 20.3% |
| 276 | Heinsberg | 20.3% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 369 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 366 | Burgenlandkreis | 16.3% |
| 367 | Schmalkalden-Meiningen | 16.3% |
| 368 | Böblingen | 16.3% |
| 369 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 16.2% |
| 370 | Zweibrücken, Kreisfreie Stadt | 16.1% |
| 371 | Wesermarsch | 16.0% |
| 372 | Oder-Spree | 15.9% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 6 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Cottbus, Kreisfreie Stadt | 45.0% |
| 4 | Potsdam, Kreisfreie Stadt | 44.7% |
| 5 | Schwerin, Kreisfreie Stadt | 43.8% |
| 6 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 42.9% |
| 7 | Werra-Meißner-Kreis | 42.8% |
| 8 | Halle (Saale), Kreisfreie Stadt | 42.2% |
| 9 | Garmisch-Partenkirchen | 41.4% |
More on Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt: 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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