Economy, jobs and prices in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany): official figures
GDP per person was 34,400 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2023, 90% of the EU average (117% for Germany); 249th highest of 400 districts in Germany.
How big is the economy of Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The local economy produced €10.3 billion of output (GDP) in 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt?
About 117,850 people worked in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 (employment by place of work).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Gelsenkirchen?
At 14.6% in 2023, the unemployment rate in the city of Gelsenkirchen ranked the highest of 400 German districts (district median 5.0%). That is up from 12.8% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow high is youth unemployment in Gelsenkirchen?
In 2023, the city of Gelsenkirchen recorded an unemployment rate among under-25s of 12.4%, compared with 4.4% in the median German district, which ranks it 2nd highest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was 11.2%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many long-term unemployed are there in Gelsenkirchen?
The share of jobless people unemployed for a year or longer in the city of Gelsenkirchen was 43.7% in 2023, 21st highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 31.8%. That is up from 38.6% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Gelsenkirchen?
The median monthly gross wage of full-time employees in the city of Gelsenkirchen was €3,681 in 2023, 155th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €3,604. In 2019 the figure was €3,354.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the gender pay gap in Gelsenkirchen?
At 95.1% in 2023, the median full-time wage of women as a share of men's in the city of Gelsenkirchen ranked 66th highest of 400 German districts (district median 88.5%). In 2019 the figure was 92.2%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the purchasing power in Gelsenkirchen?
At €26,521 in 2023, the purchasing power per resident in the city of Gelsenkirchen ranked 19th lowest of 400 German districts (district median €29,371). In 2019 the figure was €21,122.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many mini-jobs are there in Gelsenkirchen?
At 20.4% in 2023, the share of private-sector jobs that are low-paid 'mini-jobs' in the city of Gelsenkirchen ranked 169th highest of 400 German districts (district median 19.7%). It was 21.7% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people commute to Gelsenkirchen?
The commuter balance (net commuters per 100 jobs) in the city of Gelsenkirchen was -7.4 in 2023, 176th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at -11.7. In 2019 the figure was -4.3.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many businesses go bankrupt in Gelsenkirchen?
The number of company insolvency applications per 1,000 businesses in the city of Gelsenkirchen was 10.8 in 2023, 2nd highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 3.9. That is down from 11.7 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The largest part of the economy of Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 was public administration, education, health and other services, at 29.7% of gross value added, followed by industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (27.5%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) made up 27.5% of output in 2023, against 24.5% for Germany.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt growing?
Gross value added rose from €7.0 billion in 2015 to €9.4 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 34% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Of the 117,850 jobs located in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023, 40% in public services, education, health and other services, 12% in industry and 0.1% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The number of people working in Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt rose by 1.3% between 2015 and 2023, to 117,850.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt compares with other districts in Germany
Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) (2023)
Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 1 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Arbeitslosen an den zivilen Erwerbspersonen in %
| Rank | Area | Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 14.6% |
| 2 | Bremerhaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 14.1% |
| 3 | Duisburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 12.8% |
| 4 | Pirmasens, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.5% |
| 5 | Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.5% |
| 6 | Hagen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.4% |
| 7 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | 11.0% |
Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) (2023)
Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 155 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Medianeinkommen der sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Euro
| Rank | Area | Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 152 | Fürth, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,684 |
| 153 | Nürnberger Land | €3,683 |
| 154 | Warendorf | €3,683 |
| 155 | Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,681 |
| 156 | Holzminden | €3,679 |
| 157 | Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm | €3,679 |
| 158 | Dillingen a.d. Donau | €3,679 |
Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) (2023)
Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 382 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kaufkraft je Einwohner in Euro
| Rank | Area | Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 379 | Mecklenburgische Seenplatte | €26,649 |
| 380 | Rostock, Kreisfreie Stadt | €26,606 |
| 381 | Salzlandkreis | €26,555 |
| 382 | Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt | €26,521 |
| 383 | Hildburghausen | €26,521 |
| 384 | Mansfeld-Südharz | €26,435 |
| 385 | Kyffhäuserkreis | €26,418 |
Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) (2023)
Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 394 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 391 | Flensburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 54.6% |
| 392 | Delmenhorst, Kreisfreie Stadt | 54.3% |
| 393 | Waldshut | 53.8% |
| 394 | Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 53.3% |
| 395 | Heidelberg, Stadtkreis | 52.2% |
| 396 | Lörrach | 52.1% |
| 397 | Trier, Kreisfreie Stadt | 51.1% |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 170 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | St. Wendel | 27.7% |
| 168 | Aschaffenburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 27.5% |
| 169 | Burgenlandkreis | 27.5% |
| 170 | Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 27.5% |
| 171 | Neuburg-Schrobenhausen | 27.5% |
| 172 | Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis | 27.4% |
| 173 | Konstanz | 27.4% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 191 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 188 | Cuxhaven | 22.5% |
| 189 | Garmisch-Partenkirchen | 22.5% |
| 190 | Havelland | 22.3% |
| 191 | Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 22.3% |
| 192 | Regen | 22.3% |
| 193 | Kulmbach | 22.3% |
| 194 | Uelzen | 22.2% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 87 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | Saale-Orla-Kreis | 29.9% |
| 85 | Märkisch-Oderland | 29.8% |
| 86 | Hildesheim | 29.8% |
| 87 | Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 29.7% |
| 88 | Augsburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 29.7% |
| 89 | Wiesbaden, Kreisfreie Stadt | 29.5% |
| 90 | Pirmasens, Kreisfreie Stadt | 29.4% |
More on Gelsenkirchen, Kreisfreie Stadt: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · North Rhine-Westphalia · 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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