Economic downturn hits: short-time work and unemployment are rising!

Unemployment recorded a significant increase in 2024, as reported by the Rottweil-Villingen-Schwenningen employment agency. In December 2024, a total of 12,464 people were registered as unemployed, which corresponds to an increase of 175 people (1%) compared to the previous month of November. Compared to the previous year, there are even 1,502 more people (14%) who are looking for work. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, which corresponds to the average in Baden-Württemberg.

The districts in the region are particularly affected. There were 2,839 people registered as unemployed in the Rottweil district, which is an increase of 72 people (3%) compared to November and 352 people (14%) more than a year ago. The unemployment rate in this district is 3.5%. 5,750 unemployed people were registered in the Schwarzwald-Baar district, which represents an increase of 47 people (1%) compared to the previous month. Here the increase compared to the previous year is 763 people (15%), and the unemployment rate is 4.7%. In the Tuttlingen district, 3,875 people are registered as unemployed, which represents an increase of 56 people (2%) compared to November and 387 people (11%) more than a year ago. The unemployment rate in this district is 4.6%.

Economic short-time work is on the rise

The regional economy has increasingly resorted to short-time work in 2024 in order to meet the economic challenges. According to preliminary data for August 2024, 2,787 people were on short-time work in 140 companies - almost twice as many as in the previous year, when 1,398 people were affected. There is also a drastic increase compared to August 2022, when only 237 people were on short-time work.

In December 2024, 79 companies registered short-time work for a total of 1,099 employees, with the corresponding data covering the period from December 1st to 26th, 2024. Sectors particularly affected are the manufacture of metal products, motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts, mechanical engineering and the manufacture of electrical equipment and rubber and plastic products.

Despite employer registrations, demand for workers remains subdued. Only 839 new jobs were reported in December, which is 164 fewer than the previous month and 246 fewer than the previous year. The employment agency currently has 3,262 vacant positions.

For further information on the current labor market situation in Germany, visit the employment agency at statistic.arbeitsagentur.de.

This comprehensive information was provided by South Courier provided.