Economy, jobs and prices in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany): official figures
GDP per person was 34,500 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2023, 90% of the EU average (117% for Germany); 247th highest of 400 districts in Germany.
How big is the economy of Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The local economy produced €2.9 billion of output (GDP) in 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt?
About 41,380 people worked in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 (employment by place of work).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Dessau-Roßlau?
The unemployment rate in the city of Dessau-Roßlau was 8.6% in 2023, 34th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 5.0%. That is up from 7.7% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow high is youth unemployment in Dessau-Roßlau?
The unemployment rate among under-25s in the city of Dessau-Roßlau was 10.5% in 2023, 7th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at 4.4%. That is down from 11.5% 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 Dessau-Roßlau?
At 36.8% in 2023, the share of jobless people unemployed for a year or longer in the city of Dessau-Roßlau ranked 106th highest of 400 German districts (district median 31.8%). It was 33.0% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Dessau-Roßlau?
The median monthly gross wage of full-time employees in the city of Dessau-Roßlau was €3,313 in 2023, 84th lowest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €3,604. It was €2,883 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the gender pay gap in Dessau-Roßlau?
In 2023, the city of Dessau-Roßlau recorded a median full-time wage of women as a share of men's of 108.5%, compared with 88.5% in the median German district, which ranks it 3rd highest of 400 districts. It was 111.1% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the purchasing power in Dessau-Roßlau?
The purchasing power per resident in the city of Dessau-Roßlau was €28,506 in 2023, 137th lowest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €29,371. That is up from €22,567 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many mini-jobs are there in Dessau-Roßlau?
At 9.7% in 2023, the share of private-sector jobs that are low-paid 'mini-jobs' in the city of Dessau-Roßlau ranked 2nd lowest of 400 German districts (district median 19.7%). In 2019 the figure was 8.9%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people commute to Dessau-Roßlau?
The commuter balance (net commuters per 100 jobs) in the city of Dessau-Roßlau was +11.2 in 2023, 80th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at -11.7. That is up from +9.9 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many businesses go bankrupt in Dessau-Roßlau?
At 5.5 in 2023, the number of company insolvency applications per 1,000 businesses in the city of Dessau-Roßlau ranked 68th highest of 400 German districts (district median 3.9). That is down from 5.9 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The largest part of the economy of Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023 was public administration, education, health and other services, at 37.8% of gross value added, followed by industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (21.4%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Factories, mines and energy produced 21.4% of the value added in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023, against 24.5% for Germany.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt growing?
Gross value added rose from €2.1 billion in 2015 to €2.7 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 30% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt?
Of the 41,380 jobs located in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt in 2023, 41% in public services, education, health and other services, 18% in industry and 0.6% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt?
The number of people working in Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt fell by 2.6% between 2015 and 2023, to 41,380.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt compares with other districts in Germany
Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) (2023)
Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 34 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Arbeitslosen an den zivilen Erwerbspersonen in %
| Rank | Area | Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt | 8.7% |
| 32 | Kyffhäuserkreis | 8.7% |
| 33 | Bochum, Kreisfreie Stadt | 8.6% |
| 34 | Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt | 8.6% |
| 35 | Hamm, Kreisfreie Stadt | 8.6% |
| 36 | Görlitz | 8.5% |
| 37 | Magdeburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 8.5% |
Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) (2023)
Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 317 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Medianeinkommen der sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Euro
| Rank | Area | Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 314 | Diepholz | €3,327 |
| 315 | Vechta | €3,325 |
| 316 | Bamberg, Landkreis | €3,316 |
| 317 | Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt | €3,313 |
| 318 | Aurich | €3,313 |
| 319 | Harburg | €3,301 |
| 320 | Fürth, Landkreis | €3,300 |
Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) (2023)
Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 264 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kaufkraft je Einwohner in Euro
| Rank | Area | Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 261 | Wesermarsch | €28,567 |
| 262 | Oder-Spree | €28,524 |
| 263 | Regionalverband Saarbrücken | €28,515 |
| 264 | Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt | €28,506 |
| 265 | Leipzig | €28,503 |
| 266 | Bayreuth, Kreisfreie Stadt | €28,482 |
| 267 | Schwalm-Eder-Kreis | €28,459 |
Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) (2023)
Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 85 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 82 | Straubing-Bogen | 69.4% |
| 83 | Lichtenfels | 69.4% |
| 84 | Altmarkkreis Salzwedel | 69.4% |
| 85 | Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt | 69.4% |
| 86 | Ludwigslust-Parchim | 69.4% |
| 87 | Kelheim | 69.2% |
| 88 | Bodenseekreis | 69.2% |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 269 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 266 | Augsburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.5% |
| 267 | Südwestpfalz | 21.5% |
| 268 | Karlsruhe, Stadtkreis | 21.4% |
| 269 | Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt | 21.4% |
| 270 | Hamm, Kreisfreie Stadt | 20.8% |
| 271 | Fulda | 20.8% |
| 272 | Viersen | 20.6% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 262 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 259 | Ortenaukreis | 20.7% |
| 260 | Schwandorf | 20.7% |
| 261 | Leverkusen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 20.5% |
| 262 | Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt | 20.5% |
| 263 | Hochsauerlandkreis | 20.5% |
| 264 | Neuwied | 20.5% |
| 265 | Flensburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 20.5% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 21 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Würzburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | 38.2% |
| 19 | Trier, Kreisfreie Stadt | 38.0% |
| 20 | Kiel, Kreisfreie Stadt | 37.9% |
| 21 | Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt | 37.8% |
| 22 | Delmenhorst, Kreisfreie Stadt | 37.4% |
| 23 | Vorpommern-Greifswald | 36.9% |
| 24 | Erfurt, Kreisfreie Stadt | 36.5% |
More on Dessau-Roßlau, Kreisfreie Stadt: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Saxony-Anhalt · 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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