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Photo: Arne Dedert/ picture alliance/dpa
The number of unemployed in Germany fell significantly in the past year.
Compared to the previous year, it fell by 195,000 people, said the Federal Employment Agency (BA).
This means that an annual average of 2.418 million people were looking for a job.
The unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points to 5.3 percent.
The consequences of the Russian war against Ukraine - price increases, uncertainties, but also refugee migration - have certainly left their mark on the German labor market, said BA boss Andrea Nahles.
"In view of the extent of the burdens, however, these are moderate."
According to the BA, the labor market was also robust in December.
As is usual this month, the number of unemployed rose by 20,000 to 2.454 million at the start of the winter break.
"Adjusted for seasonal influences, however, there is a decline," said Nahles, namely by 13,000 unemployed.
The unemployment rate rose slightly by 0.1 points to 5.4 percent.
Compared to December last year, the number of unemployed was 124,000 higher.
However, this was due to the large number of Ukrainian refugees.
Without taking them into account, unemployment in Germany would have fallen compared to the previous year.
hey/AFP
