The jobless total in Germany rose unusually sharply in April, official data showed Thursday, highlighting the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on Europe’s top economy.
The jobless total soared to 2.6 million in April from 2.3 million in March, according to data compiled by the federal labour agency BA.
And in seasonally adjusted terms, the unemployment rate jumped to 5.8 percent this month from 5.0 percent the previous month, the agency said. “The coronavirus pandemic will likely lead to the most serious recession in Germany of the post-World War II period,” BA chief Detlef Scheele said in a statement. “The labour market is also coming under pressure.” Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Wednesday unveiled government projections of a record 6.3-percent year-on-year drop in gross domestic product.
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