German industry sheds 177,000 jobs in a year

The Federal Employment Agency reported that the German industrial sector lost 177,000 jobs between January 2025 and December 2025, a decline that deepened the pressure on the country's core manufacturing base of about 6.5 million workers. The steepest cut occurred in the automotive industry and its suppliers, which shed around 52,000 positions, followed by 24,000 jobs lost in metal‑processing and 28,000 in machinery manufacturing.

Agency head Andrea Nales said the sector continues to lose roughly 15,000 jobs each month. The downturn reflects structural shifts as the automotive sector transitions to electric vehicles, faces rising competition from Chinese manufacturers, confronts high production costs and weaker demand on the European market.