Posted on 11/30/2006 7:03:32 AM PST by Michael81Dus
Germany's unemployment rate dropped to 9.6 percent in November as the number of people out of work fell below 4 million for the first time in more than four years -- the latest evidence of a gathering recovery in Europe's biggest economy. The unadjusted jobless rate declined from 9.8 percent in September, while the number of Germans registered as unemployed sank by 89,000 to 3.995 million, the government's Federal Labor Agency said Thursday.
The figure was last below the politically sensitive 4 million mark in October 2002, when it stood at nearly 3.93 million. The labor agency credited the improvement above all to the strengthening of the economy, although it said unusually mild weather also was a factor in extending a traditional autumn job upswing into November. Helped by a sustained boom in exports and by investment at home, Germany is emerging from years of sluggish growth. Over recent months, the upturn has finally begun to make itself felt in the labor market. In seasonally adjusted terms, the number of people without a job fell by 86,000 in November -- far more than the 25,000 forecast of economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
Merkel's Fault. :)
;-) Actually, I blame it on the global economic growth. Our companies make money in the foreign, and they use it to invest and produce more at home. That´s good, and if the next years this trend continues, our federal budget won´t need new debts (our deficit is going below 2% next year), and finally we may be able to push our defense spendings. Man, there are two reasons why Germany is not engaging in real combat actions now: a) the personnel/material is already stretched and b) the people isn´t prepared to send the soldiers to combat. I think Merkel should do more to solve b).
Andrea must be doing some good.
"A rate of 4 million. What's that mean?"
It means less than 10% It is a clumsy way of saying that there are less than 4 Million Germans of 40+ million Germans out of work. In Europe, that is considered good.
A single number cannot be a rate. Tell me the number of jobless is 4M, or tell me the rate is 10%. But a professional writer ought to know that the rate cannot be 4M.
The European Central Bank is already trying to put an end to the recovery. I guess they consider 9.6% unemployment to be overheating and inflationary.
That the unemployment rate is on the lowest level since October 2002. We´re at 9.6% now, which is, compared to the US a huge number. Considering that 1/4 of the country was deeply communist 16 years ago (and still has way too many socialist laws!), we´re happy that the jobless rate falls.
LOL, no, the interest rates may go up to 3.5% without a significant change. It´s important that the sells in the foreign are on a high level, Germany is an export nation. The Dollar at a level of above than 1.35 $/€ would be critical.
In Germany 9.6% is a recovery.In America heads roll and political parties lose power with 9.6%
Any credit due to Merkel?
Not yet. But Merkel increased the retirement age to 67, and reduces the labor costs (by raising the VAT).
I wonder how much of that 9.6 % unemployment rate is from uneducated, jobless muslims whose only goal is jihad.
Especially after the tax increase goes into affect in January.
No, Germans also know to distinguish between the terms rate and numer. However, we often use the simple term "unemployment", which has fallen to 9.6% or below the number of 4M.
Yes, unemployment is still high, especially compared to the US, but we don´t have many low-wage-jobs. For instance, we don´t have bag-packers or greeters in supermarkets/stores.
Good luck in Deutschland! Merkel doing things right?
"For instance, we don´t have bag-packers or greeters in supermarkets/stores."
We don't have many here (U.S) either.
The last time I was in Germany was 1998 and they were still suffering from Reunification. The West was having to pay BIG TIME to support the East. I hope it is all much better now~ They deserve some good times~
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