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

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.

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