The German unemployment rate fell to 7.6% in March as the number of people out of work declined to 3.21 million, the national labour office said today.
That unadjusted rate, which is used as the basis for public debate, stood at a revised 7.9% in February.
When adjusted for seasonal effects, the standard used by economists for comparisons, the unemployment rate in March declined to 7.1% from 7.3% in February.
Analysts had expected this figure to come in at 7.2% rather than the 7.1% which economists said that figure was the lowest level since 1992.
A total of 3.313 million people were officially registered as looking for work in March according to that measure.
German retail sales post monthly drop
German retail sales gained an annualised 1.1% in February, price-adjusted data released today shows, but fell by 0.3% from January, underscoring a dip in consumer sentiment.
In January, retail sales in the biggest European economy had gained 0.4%, according to figures that were revised lower by the national statistics office. Analysts had expected a month-on-month increase of 0.4% in February as well.
In nominal terms the picture was a bit brighter, with the Destatis office reporting a monthly gain of 0.8% and an annualised increase of 3% in February.
Earlier this week, the GfK market research group said German consumer sentiment declined slightly for the first time in 10 months due to growing concern over the international environment and inflation.
The German retail sales figures were calculated on the basis of data provided by seven states that account for 76% of all sales.
