Economy, jobs and prices in Sonneberg (Thuringia, Germany): official figures
GDP per person was 27,200 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2023, 71% of the EU average (117% for Germany); 369th highest of 400 districts in Germany.
How big is the economy of Sonneberg?
The local economy produced €1.7 billion of output (GDP) in 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people work in Sonneberg?
About 24,470 people worked in Sonneberg in 2023 (employment by place of work).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Sonneberg?
In 2023, Sonneberg recorded an unemployment rate of 5.1%, compared with 5.0% in the median German district, which ranks it 197th highest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was 3.8%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow high is youth unemployment in Sonneberg?
In 2023, Sonneberg recorded an unemployment rate among under-25s of 5.8%, compared with 4.4% in the median German district, which ranks it 110th highest of 400 districts. It was 5.2% 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 Sonneberg?
At 26.3% in 2023, the share of jobless people unemployed for a year or longer in Sonneberg ranked 104th lowest of 400 German districts (district median 31.8%). In 2019 the figure was 20.5%.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Sonneberg?
The median monthly gross wage of full-time employees in Sonneberg was €2,968 in 2023, 22nd lowest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €3,604. In 2019 the figure was €2,564.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the gender pay gap in Sonneberg?
In 2023, Sonneberg recorded a median full-time wage of women as a share of men's of 89.4%, compared with 88.5% in the median German district, which ranks it 176th highest of 400 districts. It was 89.0% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the purchasing power in Sonneberg?
The purchasing power per resident in Sonneberg was €26,855 in 2023, 30th lowest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €29,371. It was €21,306 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many mini-jobs are there in Sonneberg?
At 13.6% in 2023, the share of private-sector jobs that are low-paid 'mini-jobs' in Sonneberg ranked 71st lowest of 400 German districts (district median 19.7%). That is up from 12.9% in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people commute to Sonneberg?
At -18.9 in 2023, the commuter balance (net commuters per 100 jobs) in Sonneberg ranked 142nd lowest of 400 German districts (district median -11.7). In 2019 the figure was -12.9.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many businesses go bankrupt in Sonneberg?
At 3.2 in 2023, the number of company insolvency applications per 1,000 businesses in Sonneberg ranked 123rd lowest of 400 German districts (district median 3.9). In 2019 the figure was 1.6.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Sonneberg?
The largest part of the economy of Sonneberg in 2023 was industry (manufacturing, mining and energy), at 39.9% of gross value added, followed by public administration, education, health and other services (23.3%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Sonneberg?
Industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) made up 39.9% of output in 2023, against 24.5% for Germany.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Sonneberg growing?
Gross value added rose from €1.3 billion in 2015 to €1.6 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 20% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Sonneberg?
Of the 24,470 jobs located in Sonneberg in 2023, 25% in public services, education, health and other services, 38% in industry and 1.5% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Sonneberg?
The number of people working in Sonneberg fell by 11.4% between 2015 and 2023, to 24,470.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Sonneberg compares with other districts in Germany
Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) (2023)
Sonneberg ranks 197 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Anteil der Arbeitslosen an den zivilen Erwerbspersonen in %
| Rank | Area | Unemployment rate (% of civilian labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 194 | Freiburg im Breisgau, Stadtkreis | 5.2% |
| 195 | Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge | 5.2% |
| 196 | Börde | 5.1% |
| 197 | Sonneberg | 5.1% |
| 198 | Neuwied | 5.1% |
| 199 | Stuttgart, Stadtkreis | 5.1% |
| 200 | Fürth, Kreisfreie Stadt | 5.1% |
Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) (2023)
Sonneberg ranks 379 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Medianeinkommen der sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Euro
| Rank | Area | Median monthly gross wage, full-time employees (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 376 | Leipzig | €2,994 |
| 377 | Mansfeld-Südharz | €2,989 |
| 378 | Bautzen | €2,972 |
| 379 | Sonneberg | €2,968 |
| 380 | Landkreis Rostock | €2,962 |
| 381 | Wittenberg | €2,962 |
| 382 | Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge | €2,961 |
Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) (2023)
Sonneberg ranks 371 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kaufkraft je Einwohner in Euro
| Rank | Area | Purchasing power per resident (€ a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 368 | Herne, Kreisfreie Stadt | €26,900 |
| 369 | Altmarkkreis Salzwedel | €26,890 |
| 370 | Uckermark | €26,866 |
| 371 | Sonneberg | €26,855 |
| 372 | Frankfurt (Oder), Kreisfreie Stadt | €26,827 |
| 373 | Kiel, Kreisfreie Stadt | €26,792 |
| 374 | Weimarer Land | €26,789 |
Residents in insured jobs (% of working-age population) (2023)
Sonneberg ranks 62 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Bamberg, Landkreis | 70.0% |
| 60 | Haßberge | 70.0% |
| 61 | Main-Tauber-Kreis | 70.0% |
| 62 | Sonneberg | 70.0% |
| 63 | Traunstein | 69.8% |
| 64 | Kulmbach | 69.7% |
| 65 | Nordsachsen | 69.7% |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Sonneberg ranks 45 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Heilbronn, Landkreis | 40.2% |
| 43 | Unterallgäu | 40.2% |
| 44 | Anhalt-Bitterfeld | 40.0% |
| 45 | Sonneberg | 39.9% |
| 46 | Haßberge | 39.7% |
| 47 | Leverkusen, Kreisfreie Stadt | 39.6% |
| 48 | Weimarer Land | 39.5% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Sonneberg ranks 348 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 345 | Elbe-Elster | 17.5% |
| 346 | Bautzen | 17.5% |
| 347 | Dithmarschen | 17.5% |
| 348 | Sonneberg | 17.4% |
| 349 | Saarpfalz-Kreis | 17.4% |
| 350 | Nordhausen | 17.4% |
| 351 | Altenburger Land | 17.3% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Sonneberg ranks 202 of 400, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 199 | Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen | 23.4% |
| 200 | Schwabach, Kreisfreie Stadt | 23.4% |
| 201 | Leipzig | 23.3% |
| 202 | Sonneberg | 23.3% |
| 203 | Wartburgkreis | 23.3% |
| 204 | Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt | 23.2% |
| 205 | Hochsauerlandkreis | 23.1% |
More on Sonneberg: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Thuringia · 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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