The Monster Employment Index Germany gained four points in September as online recruitment activity bounced back from August's loss.

Year-on-year growth was 11 points, or 15 percent, demonstrating a sustained positive trend in online recruitment activity. Hospitality and tourism registered the largest monthly increase in online opportunities. Regionally, Sachsen and Berlin registered the highest monthly and annual increases.

Summary Overview

The rise in online job availability in September shows that the German labor market is still holding up in the face of weaker economic momentum. The German unemployment rate is currently at a 16-year low and has not, unlike the EU as a whole, seen a reversal in that trend. However, changes in the HR sector demonstrate the early effects of the slowing economy as staffing companies and placement firms are feeling reduced demand for temporary workers.

"Employment demand in Germany has managed to stay predominantly steady throughout the economic and banking crisis, with several sectors continuing to show gains," commented Marco Bertoli, Vice President/General Manager Central Europe, Monster Worldwide. "In particular, construction and manufacturing and hospitality and tourism continued to demonstrate tight hiring conditions."