Unemployment rate in Hesse
Unemployment rate in Hesse stood at 5.8 percent in 2025, according to Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) – Digital Gender Equality Atlas. It is one of the indicators in the Gender gaps by federal state table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2008 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Gender gaps by federal state table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Both sexes2 | 5.8 | 5.5 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5 | 5.3 | |
| Women | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 5 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 5.2 | |
| Men | 5.9 | 5.6 | 5.2 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.4 |
Understanding unemployment rate in Hesse
Aggregating both female and male jobseekers across Hesse, this row calculates the proportion of the state's total civilian labor force officially registered as unemployed. The numerator compiles all individuals registered at public employment offices who meet the statutory criteria of being without work and ready for employment. Persons engaged in state-funded qualification measures, early retirees, military staff, and individuals outside the labor market are excluded. Unlike the gender-specific rows beneath it, this series merges both sexes into a single regional baseline, reflecting overall slack across the entire resident workforce.
Presenting the data on an annual basis eliminates intra-year fluctuations driven by seasonal hiring cycles and institutional calendar shifts. Multi-year comparisons track fundamental economic transitions, but users should verify whether historical revisions have updated earlier reference populations following census benchmarking. Comparing this administrative figure with international survey rates requires care, as survey definitions classify individuals working minimal hours as employed even if they remain registered as unemployed jobseekers in official administrative systems.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this headline rate for Hesse capture marginally employed individuals?
- Individuals holding marginal jobs may still be counted if they register as unemployed while seeking standard employment.
- How does this aggregate measure relate to the gender-specific rows below it?
- It represents the weighted sum of male and female registered jobseekers divided by the combined civilian labor force of Hesse.
- Are commuters working in Hesse but living elsewhere included in the numerator?
- No, registration is based on the place of residence, meaning only jobseekers residing within Hesse are included.