German Unemployment Falls by 12,000 in May

German unemployment fell by 12,000 people in May on a seasonally adjusted basis. The decline came against an expected rise of 10,000 and followed a revised increase of 19,000 in April.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 6.3 percent from 6.4 percent the prior month. Economists had projected the rate would hold steady at 6.4 percent.

April's originally reported increase of 20,000 was later revised downward to 19,000. The data cover individuals registered as unemployed and available for work under standard definitions. No named officials or spokespersons were identified in the reporting.