Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania records decline in employment

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Employment Slump Bucks National Trend

The employment scene in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has taken a downturn, defying the positive national trajectory. The unemployment statistics reveal a loss of jobs subject to social security contributions, while marginal employment has marginally increased. On Tuesday, the Statistical Office in Schwerin reported a workforce of 767,100 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern during the third quarter. This number dipped by a mere 1,000 workers compared to the same period in the previous year, equating to a decline of 0.1%. Apart from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, only Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt experienced a decline, while the nationwide statistics showed an uptick of 0.7%. In contrast, Hamburg and Berlin witnessed the strongest growth with rates of 1.8% and 1.5% respectively, although these figures had also begun to slow down over the course of the year.

Ten out of ten workers in the northeastern region, including Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, are employed, encompassing both regular and freelance positions. The manufacturing sector remains a significant economic factor, accounting for 19% of the workforce. However, data reveals that the number of workers employed in the industry and construction sectors dipped by 1.2% compared to the previous year, whereas nationwide saw a slight increase.

The agricultural sector in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern faced job losses as well. The slight positive development in the large services sector proved insufficient to offset these setbacks. The growth in employment of 0.2% in the northeast during this period was significantly weaker than the national average of 0.9%.

In 2022, employment growth in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern remained below par compared to most other federal states. Hiring activity in retail, gastronomy, and the public sector played a role in causing the number of employed individuals to almost return to the pre-pandemic level, with an average of 761,800 people. Nevertheless, the increase of only 0.6% compared to 2021 was half the national average.

Regions like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Thuringia, and Saxony-Anhalt, like the nation as a whole, experienced a decline in employment according to the statistics. The labor market faced challenges in heavy industries and construction, with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern experiencing a 1.2% decrease in employment while the nation saw a slight increase.

It should be noted that economic growth in the northeastern region didn't mirror the uniform trends observed in other German states. Factors such as regional productivity disparities, remote work potential, economic stagnation, and demographic factors contribute to the unique challenges faced by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in its pursuit of employment growth.

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