German seasonally adjusted unemployment declined by a smaller-than-expected 15,000 in August, the 17th consecutive monthly drop, officials figures showed today.
The Federal Labour Office said that the adjusted jobless rate held steady at 9%.
The German economy grew at a 2.9% rate in 2006, its fastest pace in six years, and it is expected to come close to that level this year.
The pickup has fuelled a steady improvement in the labour market, bringing the unemployment rate down 3% percentage points over a two-year span.
'The good economic conditions continue to have a positive impact on the labour market,' Labour Office chief Frank-Juergen Weise said, highlighting the high level of vacant positions and continued increase in jobs paying full benefits.
Weise said he had seen no evidence that recent market turmoil linked to the US sub-prime lending crisis was hurting employment for now.
