Labor market statistics: Behavioral spring revival: unemployment decreases easily

Thanks to an easy spring revival, the number of unemployed in Germany in April has dropped by 36,000 to 2.932 million people compared to the previous month. That is 182,000 more than in April 2024, as the Federal Employment Agency in Nuremberg announced. The unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 points to 6.3 percent compared to March.

Compared to the same month last year, the quota increased by 0.3 percentage points. For the April statistics, the Federal Agency used data material, which was available until April 10.

“The spring revival is also comparatively weak in April. Unemployment and underemployment decrease; they change only a little,” said the CEO of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), Andrea Nahles, in Nuremberg. However, in the two previous years the April revitalization with a minus of 8,000 and 20,000 was still weaker.

What happens in the short -time work

The short -time work moved little. According to current data, employers from April 1st to April 24th for 37,000 people have shown economic short -time work. Whether this is actually used must be shown.

Current data on actual use are available by February 2025. This month, according to preliminary minor data for 244,000 employees, economic short -time money was paid. That was 14,000 less than in January, but 43,000 more than in February of the previous year.

Minister sees himself confirmed

The executive Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) sees, among other things, the use of short -time work is a sign of the functioning of labor market policy. “Our job market is also evident in economically challenging times and in all trading policy uncertainties as a strong support for social cohesion. Companies and employees use the available instruments: Short -time work ensures jobs, targeted qualifications strengthen specialists for transformation,” said Heil. “It is clear about May 1st: Good work and safe employment remain the backbone of our country.”

And what the employers say

Employer president Rainer Dulger sees the situation more critically: “A look at the current labor market numbers clearly shows: Without economic policy impulses, there is no trend reversal on the labor market. Unfortunately, due to the continued stagnating growth, there is no real revitalization on the labor market.”

The number of open positions and thus the demand for workers is still relatively high, albeit declining. In April, 646,000 jobs were registered with the Federal Agency, 55,000 fewer than a year ago. The number of employees continued to grow, but growth has slowed down since 2018.

There is still no clear picture during the training because the training market in April is still heavily in motion. Since October 2024, 354,000 applicants have registered for an apprenticeship, 12,000 more than in the previous year. The number of training positions reported is 25,000 lower than at the same time of the previous year.