Unemployment in Rhineland-Palatinate sinks: Hope for improvement?

Unemployment in Rhineland-Palatinate sinks: Hope for improvement?

Current assessments of the labor market situation in Rhineland-Palatinate indicate a slight decline in unemployment. Experts assume that the latest figures from the regional directorate of the Federal Employment Agency will be released on Friday, February 28, 2025. In January 2024, the region recorded 128,800 unemployed, which means an increase of 8,400 people or 7.0 percent compared to December 2023. This number also corresponds to an increase of 6.3 percent compared to the previous year when unemployment was 121,000 in January 2023.

The unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in January 2024, slightly increased compared to 5.3 percent in December 2023 and 5.4 percent in January 2023. These figures illustrate the continued challenges with which the region's labor market may be confronted, which may be influenced by upcoming changes in the coming weeks.

regional developments at a glance

In September 2024 there was a decline in unemployment in Rhineland-Palatinate. The number of unemployed fell to 121,300, which corresponds to a decline of 4,600 people or 3.6 percent compared to the previous month. Unemployment rose by 9,000 people compared to the previous year, which means an increase of 8.0 percent. The unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in September 2024, a decline compared to 5.5 percent in August 2024 and an increase compared to 5.0 percent in September 2023.

Walter Hüther, Managing Director of the Rhineland-Palatinate-Saarland Regional Directorate, reported 9.4 percent of a significant decline in unemployment. Nevertheless, the underemployment with 153,700 people, an increase of 5.2 percent compared to the previous year, remains a worrying topic. The number of vacancies in September 2024 was 36,600 by 11.6 percent less than in the previous year, which indicates the difficult situation of the labor market.

insight into the employment situation

Despite the challenging circumstances, employment subject to social security contributions is stable. In July 2024, this number was 1,479,200 employees, which is 0.1 percent above the previous year's level. Compared to the nationwide values, Rhineland-Palatinate with an overhang of 0.4 percent was in employment. Positive things can also be derived from the climbs in certain industries such as healthcare, social affairs and public services.

At the same time, there were declines in employment in the processing industry and temporary work. In September 2024, around 80 advertisements for short -time work were also registered, based on 8,600 employees, which represents an increase compared to 70 ads for 900 employees in August 2024. Short -time work must first be approved, and after three months a review of the actual scope.

For further details on the development of the labor market in Rhineland-Palatinate and the publication of the latest figures, the reports from Lokalo.de and Arbeitsagentur.de