Economy, jobs and prices in Paderborn (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany): official figures
GDP per person was 40,000 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2023, 104% of the EU average (117% for Germany); 159th highest of 400 districts in Germany.
How big is the economy of Paderborn?
The local economy produced €14.1 billion of output (GDP) in 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Paderborn?
About 174,170 people worked in Paderborn in 2023 (employment by place of work).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Paderborn?
At 5.4% in 2023, the unemployment rate in Paderborn ranked 173rd highest of 400 German districts (district median 5.0%). In 2019 the figure was 5.0%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow high is youth unemployment in Paderborn?
In 2023, Paderborn recorded an unemployment rate among under-25s of 4.0%, compared with 4.4% in the median German district, which ranks it 167th lowest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was 4.1%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many long-term unemployed are there in Paderborn?
The share of jobless people unemployed for a year or longer in Paderborn was 34.9% in 2023, 144th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 31.8%. It was 34.2% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Paderborn?
The median monthly gross wage of full-time employees in Paderborn was €3,614 in 2023, 192nd highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €3,604. In 2019 the figure was €3,271.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the gender pay gap in Paderborn?
The median full-time wage of women as a share of men's in Paderborn was 87.9% in 2023, 186th lowest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 88.5%. In 2019 the figure was 85.6%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the purchasing power in Paderborn?
At €29,347 in 2023, the purchasing power per resident in Paderborn ranked 199th lowest of 400 German districts (district median €29,371). That is up from €23,423 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many mini-jobs are there in Paderborn?
At 21.4% in 2023, the share of private-sector jobs that are low-paid 'mini-jobs' in Paderborn ranked 129th highest of 400 German districts (district median 19.7%). It was 22.2% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people commute to Paderborn?
At -1.9 in 2023, the commuter balance (net commuters per 100 jobs) in Paderborn ranked 135th highest of 400 German districts (district median -11.7). In 2019 the figure was -3.1.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many businesses go bankrupt in Paderborn?
The number of company insolvency applications per 1,000 businesses in Paderborn was 4.3 in 2023, 156th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 3.9. In 2019 the figure was 7.0.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Paderborn?
The largest part of the economy of Paderborn in 2023 was industry (manufacturing, mining and energy), at 26.1% of gross value added, followed by public administration, education, health and other services (24.4%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Paderborn?
Industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) made up 26.1% of output in 2023, against 24.5% for Germany.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Paderborn growing?
Gross value added rose from €9.2 billion in 2015 to €12.9 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 40% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Paderborn?
Of the 174,170 jobs located in Paderborn in 2023, 34% in public services, education, health and other services, 20% in industry and 1.3% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Paderborn?
The number of people working in Paderborn rose by 7.9% between 2015 and 2023, to 174,170.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Paderborn compares with other districts in Germany
Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) (2023)
Paderborn ranks 173 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Arbeitslosen an den zivilen Erwerbspersonen in %
| Rank | Area | Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | Potsdam, Kreisfreie Stadt | 5.4% |
| 171 | Heinsberg | 5.4% |
| 172 | Warendorf | 5.4% |
| 173 | Paderborn | 5.4% |
| 174 | Greiz | 5.4% |
| 175 | Zwickau | 5.4% |
| 176 | Uelzen | 5.3% |
Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) (2023)
Paderborn ranks 192 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Medianeinkommen der sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Euro
| Rank | Area | Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Minden-Lübbecke | €3,622 |
| 190 | Neuwied | €3,618 |
| 191 | Stade | €3,616 |
| 192 | Paderborn | €3,614 |
| 193 | Pinneberg | €3,612 |
| 194 | Celle | €3,611 |
| 195 | Wilhelmshaven, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,610 |
Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) (2023)
Paderborn ranks 202 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kaufkraft je Einwohner in Euro
| Rank | Area | Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 199 | Neustadt a. d. Aisch-Bad Windsheim | €29,396 |
| 200 | Ansbach, Kreisfreie Stadt | €29,392 |
| 201 | Berchtesgadener Land | €29,350 |
| 202 | Paderborn | €29,347 |
| 203 | Deggendorf | €29,337 |
| 204 | Rhein-Lahn-Kreis | €29,329 |
| 205 | Unna | €29,325 |
Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) (2023)
Paderborn ranks 282 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 279 | Hameln-Pyrmont | 63.7% |
| 280 | Frankfurt am Main, Kreisfreie Stadt | 63.6% |
| 281 | Gera, Kreisfreie Stadt | 63.6% |
| 282 | Paderborn | 63.6% |
| 283 | Speyer, Kreisfreie Stadt | 63.5% |
| 284 | Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis | 63.5% |
| 285 | Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis | 63.5% |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Paderborn ranks 190 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 187 | Regensburg, Landkreis | 26.3% |
| 188 | Schwalm-Eder-Kreis | 26.2% |
| 189 | Ludwigslust-Parchim | 26.2% |
| 190 | Paderborn | 26.1% |
| 191 | Augsburg, Landkreis | 26.0% |
| 192 | Oldenburg, Landkreis | 26.0% |
| 193 | Unna | 26.0% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Paderborn ranks 197 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 194 | Uelzen | 22.2% |
| 195 | Berchtesgadener Land | 22.2% |
| 196 | Peine | 22.2% |
| 197 | Paderborn | 22.2% |
| 198 | Göttingen | 22.1% |
| 199 | Bad Kreuznach | 22.1% |
| 200 | Krefeld, Kreisfreie Stadt | 22.1% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Paderborn ranks 171 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 168 | Lichtenfels | 24.5% |
| 169 | Kleve | 24.4% |
| 170 | Fürth, Kreisfreie Stadt | 24.4% |
| 171 | Paderborn | 24.4% |
| 172 | Burgenlandkreis | 24.4% |
| 173 | Saarpfalz-Kreis | 24.2% |
| 174 | Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis | 24.2% |
More on Paderborn: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.