Labor market in markedly good shape

The healthy development on the labor market encompasses almost all economic sectors. The increase in jobs liable to social insurance is particularly strong in a whole string of service industries such as care and welfare, distributive trade and motor vehicle maintenance as well as qualified business service providers. This underscores the dynamism of domestic economic growth. As a result, the German economy is likely to accelerate slightly in the fourth quarter even though subdued global growth is weighing on exports. This will provide a good starting point for 2016. We are penciling in growth of 2.0% in 2016 after 1.7% this year.


However, a further decline in unemployment in 2016 is not on the cards. Due to immigration, the labor force is likely to increase even more strongly than in 2015. As a result, jobs growth will probably not be sufficient to keep unemployment steady. In the course of 2016 the jobless total is likely to rise by between 50,000 and 100,000.

Dr. Rolf Schneider

Allianz SE
Phone +49.69.263-57790

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