Economy, jobs and prices in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany): official figures
GDP per person was 36,100 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2023, 94% of the EU average (117% for Germany); 214th highest of 400 districts in Germany.
How big is the economy of Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The local economy produced €14.5 billion of output (GDP) in 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt?
About 178,760 people worked in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 (employment by place of work).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Wuppertal?
At 9.5% in 2023, the unemployment rate in the city of Wuppertal ranked 18th highest of 400 German districts (district median 5.0%). It was 8.1% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow high is youth unemployment in Wuppertal?
At 9.1% in 2023, the unemployment rate among under-25s in the city of Wuppertal ranked 24th highest of 400 German districts (district median 4.4%). That is up from 8.5% 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 Wuppertal?
In 2023, the city of Wuppertal recorded a share of jobless people unemployed for a year or longer of 41.1%, compared with 31.8% in the median German district, which ranks it 43rd highest of 400 districts. That is up from 35.7% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Wuppertal?
In 2023, the city of Wuppertal recorded a median monthly gross wage of full-time employees of €3,851, compared with €3,604 in the median German district, which ranks it 101st highest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was €3,559.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the gender pay gap in Wuppertal?
The median full-time wage of women as a share of men's in the city of Wuppertal was 92.3% in 2023, 112th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 88.5%. It was 88.8% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the purchasing power in Wuppertal?
The purchasing power per resident in the city of Wuppertal was €29,038 in 2023, 169th lowest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €29,371. That is up from €23,336 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many mini-jobs are there in Wuppertal?
In 2023, the city of Wuppertal recorded a share of private-sector jobs that are low-paid 'mini-jobs' of 19.5%, compared with 19.7% in the median German district, which ranks it 194th lowest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was 20.8%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people commute to Wuppertal?
In 2023, the city of Wuppertal recorded a commuter balance (net commuters per 100 jobs) of -2.3, compared with -11.7 in the median German district, which ranks it 138th highest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was -1.0.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many businesses go bankrupt in Wuppertal?
In 2023, the city of Wuppertal had 6.8 company insolvency applications per 1,000 businesses, compared with 3.9 in the median German district, which ranks it 26th highest of 400 districts. It was 8.9 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The largest part of the economy of Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 was public administration, education, health and other services, at 28.2% of gross value added, followed by finance, property and business services (27.4%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) made up 22.8% of output in 2023, against 24.5% for Germany.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt growing?
Gross value added rose from €11.1 billion in 2015 to €13.3 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 20% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Of the 178,760 jobs located in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023, 38% in public services, education, health and other services, 17% in industry and 0.1% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The number of people working in Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt rose by 4.2% between 2015 and 2023, to 178,760.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt compares with other districts in Germany
Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) (2023)
Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 18 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Arbeitslosen an den zivilen Erwerbspersonen in %
| Rank | Area | Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Mansfeld-Südharz | 9.9% |
| 16 | Mönchengladbach, Kreisfreie Stadt | 9.7% |
| 17 | Salzgitter, Kreisfreie Stadt | 9.5% |
| 18 | Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt | 9.5% |
| 19 | Schwerin, Kreisfreie Stadt | 9.5% |
| 20 | Regionalverband Saarbrücken | 9.5% |
| 21 | Vorpommern-Rügen | 9.2% |
Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) (2023)
Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 101 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Medianeinkommen der sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Euro
| Rank | Area | Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,858 |
| 99 | Ravensburg | €3,854 |
| 100 | Marburg-Biedenkopf | €3,852 |
| 101 | Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,851 |
| 102 | Remscheid, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,850 |
| 103 | Pfaffenhofen a. d. Ilm | €3,843 |
| 104 | Bamberg, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,836 |
Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) (2023)
Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 232 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kaufkraft je Einwohner in Euro
| Rank | Area | Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 229 | Barnim | €29,093 |
| 230 | Höxter | €29,080 |
| 231 | Havelland | €29,068 |
| 232 | Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt | €29,038 |
| 233 | Donnersbergkreis | €29,018 |
| 234 | Northeim | €29,009 |
| 235 | Augsburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | €29,004 |
Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) (2023)
Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 381 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 378 | Frankenthal (Pfalz), Kreisfreie Stadt | 58.5% |
| 379 | Herne, Kreisfreie Stadt | 58.4% |
| 380 | Saarlouis | 58.3% |
| 381 | Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt | 58.2% |
| 382 | Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt | 58.0% |
| 383 | Bremen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 57.6% |
| 384 | Oberhausen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 57.5% |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 243 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 240 | Höxter | 23.0% |
| 241 | Deggendorf | 22.9% |
| 242 | Erlangen-Höchstadt | 22.9% |
| 243 | Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt | 22.8% |
| 244 | Südliche Weinstraße | 22.7% |
| 245 | Coesfeld | 22.7% |
| 246 | Hagen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 22.6% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 61 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Bayreuth, Landkreis | 27.5% |
| 59 | Bad Dürkheim | 27.5% |
| 60 | Rosenheim, Kreisfreie Stadt | 27.5% |
| 61 | Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt | 27.4% |
| 62 | Herzogtum Lauenburg | 27.3% |
| 63 | Main-Kinzig-Kreis | 27.3% |
| 64 | Regensburg, Landkreis | 27.3% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 105 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 102 | Goslar | 28.4% |
| 103 | Dortmund, Kreisfreie Stadt | 28.4% |
| 104 | Stendal | 28.4% |
| 105 | Wuppertal, Kreisfreie Stadt | 28.2% |
| 106 | Kusel | 28.2% |
| 107 | Oberhausen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 28.1% |
| 108 | Leipzig, Kreisfreie Stadt | 28.0% |
More on Wuppertal, 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.