The Leading Economy of Europe Faces a Serious Problem 0 9

In early 2026, Germany, considered the largest economy in the eurozone, faced a serious problem. This was reported by the media, citing data from the Federal Employment Agency of Germany (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, BA).

In January, the unemployment rate in the country reached a 12-year high. By the end of the first month of this year, there were more than three million unemployed citizens in Germany, the agency indicated.

On a monthly basis, the figure increased by 177,000 people, and on an annual basis, by 92,000. Compared to December 2025, the share of unemployed rose by 0.4 percentage points to 6.6 percent. As a result, by the end of January, the number of unemployed citizens in Germany reached 3.085 million, BA reported.

Earlier, the head of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Peter Leibinger, stated that the situation for the industry is critical due to increased U.S. import tariffs. The American market, the association's leader noted, is one of the key export destinations for local companies. The customs barriers imposed by the U.S. authorities have negatively affected the sentiments in German industry.