Germany's unemployment rate rose at the start of the year, despite a smaller than expected increase in the number of people out of work, as the weakness of Europe's biggest economy takes its toll in the labour market.

The unemployment rate crept higher in January to 6.2%, after layoffs among firms in the manufacturing sector picked up in recent months.

A rise in the jobless rate is normal for this time of year, although the scale of the jump points to underlying economic weakness. View on euronews