German unemployment rose less than expected in March

The skyline with the banking district is seen during sunset in Frankfurt, Germany, Feb 27, 2024. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File photo

BERLIN — The number of people out of work in Germany rose less than expected in March, Federal Labor Office figures showed on Thursday.

The office said the number of unemployed grew by 4,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.719 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained stable at 5.9 percent.

READ: Half of German firms face labor shortages despite economic stagnation

“Unemployment and underemployment did fall in March, but less than usual this month. The economic downturn is therefore still having an impact on the labor market,” labour office head Andrea Nahles said.