German unemployment rises less than forecast in August

German unemployment rose less than expected in August, according to Federal Labour Office figures published on Friday.

The number of unemployed grew by 2,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis to 2.8 million. Analysts had forecast a rise of 16,000. The seasonally adjusted job rate was unchanged at 6.0%.

Job openings fell 72,000 to 699,000 on an annualised basis. On an unadjusted basis, the number of unemployed grew by 63,000 to 2.9 million, its highest level in three-and-a-half years.

"The labour market continues to feel the effects of economic stagnation," said Labour Office chair Andrea Nahles.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com