Work Opportunities Available - In Hesse, the jobless rate exhibits minimal reduction.
In Hessen, the number of unemployed people remained almost unchanged in May. A total of 191,782 individuals were reported to be jobless, as disclosed by the Regional Office of the Labor Agency in Frankfurt on Tuesday. This amounted to a reduction of just 1,966 people from April and was equal to a 0.2% decrease in the unemployment rate, settling at 5.4%.
Contrasting the figures from last year, there were nearly 13,000 less individuals out of a job. Springtime's usual growth in employment opportunities did not transpire in 2024. Accounting for seasonal fluctuations, the unemployment rate in Hessen increased by 2,000 people in May.
Even in April, the unemployment rate had barely declined. The Labor Agency had speculated a steeper descent at the time. Eckart Schäfer, the director's operational managing officer, stated, "The eagerness of businesses in hiring remains limited due to the existing economic conditions."
The unemployment rate surged most rapidly among individuals over 50 years old. Despite the creation of around 16,000 more openings within the last year, not all available workers could find employment. Now, about 18,000 displaced individuals from Ukraine have registered as unemployed. The Labor Agency anticipates further escalations in figures, as a number of these people are currently finalizing their integration courses.
The employers from the Hessian Entrepreneurs Association (VhU) called for more emphasis on the labor market's needs in regard to migration. Emphasizing language teaching and halting the trend of poor academic performance among children and young people, Pollert, the VhU's executive officer, opined, "It is not acceptable that one-fourth of the students leave elementary school without knowing how to add, write, and read properly." The invaluable potential of individuals with a migrant heritage is critical to the needs of Hessian businesses as well as the community as a whole.
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In Frankfurt am Main, specifically, the unemployment rate also saw a minimal decrease, following a trend observed across Hesse. According to the latest statistics, the unemployment rate in Frankfurt dropped by 0.1%, reaching 5.6%, with 26,384 unemployed individuals as of May.
The unemployment rate among men in Frankfurt showed a slight decrease, while it remained steady for women in the same period. The Federal Employment Agency in Frankfurt noted that the labor market continues to face challenging economic conditions, influencing hiring decisions.
In contrast, the unemployment rate among older workers in Frankfurt showed a significant increase. The agency attributed this trend to the displacement of some workforces due to corporate restructuring and digital transformation in various sectors.
Despite the overall slight decline in the unemployment rate, the city of Frankfurt continues to face high levels of unemployment compared to other major cities in Germany. The city government and employment agencies in Frankfurt are working closely to address this issue and provide support to job seekers.
The regional unemployment rate in Hesse, including Frankfurt, has consistently been above the national average. The Hessian Statistics Office continues to monitor the situation closely and conduct regular surveys to gather data on labor market trends.
In light of the ongoing challenges in the labor market, particularly in Frankfurt, various stakeholders, including employment agencies, educational institutions, and employers, are working together to promote skills development, workforce diversity, and fair hiring practices to improve the local economic situation.
