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Labor market
Hanover RegionUnemployment
Hanover's labor market is characterized by the current economic and political challenges.
Continued high level of unemployment; tense situation among younger workers
During the peak phase of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020/21, there was a significant increase in unemployment in the Hannover Region - the level of which continues to persist. After a temporary easing, unemployment figures and rates (based on all civilian labor force, reporting date 30.06.) rose again in 2023 and 2024.
- The number of unemployed young people (aged 15 to 24) rose sharply in 2024 (4,360) and remains well above the pre-crisis figure from 2019 (3,440). The youth unemployment rate (7.3 %) therefore remains above the 2019 level (5.4 %).
- The proportion of unemployed women among all unemployed fell slightly compared to the previous year (44.8%) The number of unemployed women has remained at a comparatively high level since the coronavirus pandemic; their unemployment rate (7.5%) is therefore above the pre-crisis level (5.9% in 2019).
- The number of unemployed men also increased significantly at the start of the coronavirus pandemic - unlike the number of women, the number had been falling in the meantime. The number rose again in 2023 and 2024. At 8.3%, the unemployment rate for men was at a high level in 2024 (6.8% in 2019).
- The number of unemployed foreigners increased disproportionately at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and only decreased slightly afterwards. Although remaining at a high level (>20 %), the unemployment rate for foreigners alone declined in 2024.
- The number of long-term unemployed reached its highest level in the past 10 years in 2021 and 2022. The long-term unemployment rate currently stands at 3.3% and is therefore at the same level as in the years 2012 to 2016.