Economic Data

WIESBADEN – October 30, 2026 -- The number of employed people living in Germany was unchanged in September 2026 on a seasonally adjusted basis, at about 45.60 million, but sat 211,000 (0.5%) below the level of a year earlier, according to preliminary Destatis figures.

The adjusted monthly change was -4,000 people (0.0%). From January to August 2026, employment had fallen by an average of 19,000 people per month, so the September reading marks a pause in that pace of decline.

Unadjusted employment rises 172,000 as autumn recovery begins

Without seasonal adjustment, the employed population grew by 172,000 (+0.4%) from August. That matches the typical seasonal gain: the September average for 2023 to 2025 was +170,000.

Wiesbaden – October 28, 2026 -- German households saved 18.9% of their gross disposable income in 2025, 4.6 percentage points above the European Union average of 14.3%, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), which published the data ahead of World Savings Day on Oct. 30/31.

Germany ranks above France, the Netherlands, Austria and Italy

French households saved 17.8% of disposable income in 2025, Dutch households 17.4% and Austrian households 15.7%. Italy recorded 10.8%. Switzerland posted 27.4%, the highest among the countries comparable to Germany. Destatis attributes the Swiss figure to the greater role of private retirement provision there. The United States recorded 10.7%.

Ten-year average of 19.1% confirms Germany's saving habit

German households saved 19.1% of income on average over the past ten years. Every comparison country had a lower long-term figure:

Wiesbaden – September 16, 2026 -- Germany's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.9% in August 2026, up from 2.8% in July and 2.3% in June, driven largely by an energy price shock tied to the Iran war, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) confirmed. Consumer prices rose 0.2% month-on-month, matching the preliminary reading.

Energy prices post the sharpest annual jump in over three years

Overall energy costs rose 10.5% year-on-year in August, up from 8.3% in July, marking the steepest increase since February 2023's 19.1% spike. Fuel prices led the surge, up 27.7% year-on-year and 3.1% month-on-month, with diesel climbing 6.4% and premium gasoline 2.1% versus July. Light heating oil rose 49.6% annually and 6.5% on the month.