The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 6, 2003; 92 AM

BERLIN –– Germany's jobless rate rose to 10.4 percent in July with 94,500 more people out of work than in the previous month amid stagnation in Europe's largest economy, according to government figures released Wednesday.

The unadjusted unemployment rate increased from 10.2 percent in June, with a total of 4.352 million people out of work, the Federal Labor Office said. Some 305,000 more Germans were without a job than in July last year, it added.

The German economy is in its third year of stagnation. It contracted slightly in the first quarter of this year following 0.2 percent growth last year and 0.6 percent expansion in 2001.

"While early economic indicators point to a forthcoming economic upswing, current indicators such as orders and industrial production show no turnaround yet," the labor office said in its statement. "Consequently, the labor market also has shown no fundamental improvement."

July's unemployment figures again showed the gap between western Germany and the struggling ex-communist east. While the jobless rate was 8.3 percent in the west, it was more than twice as high in the east, at 18.5 percent.

I bet that this is all do to american boycotting of French products . . .

Here we go again.........

Neon

You know, you might be right, it might be because they're more socialist, but you've given no reason why you make that connection. You just have a weird 'thing' about socialism, so automatically make the assumption that the high unemplyment is becaue of socialism.

The collapse of the Soviet Union and the residual poverty in what were once the Warsaw Pact nations ought to be a clue to you people.

Many countries in Eastern Europe, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, are actually doing quite well, despite the fact that they have had to reconstruct their economies since 1989. Personally I don't think socialism does work very well, I juts think it's funny that you have no qualms about making massive jumps to conclusions because it fits the views you already hold.

The UK has a massive NHS and more generous unemployment benefit, yet has lower unemployment than the US. It's not just about one thing.

Its interesting to analyse the US unemployment rate over a long period, namely 30+ years.

Interesting, because all rises in the unemployment rate, coinside with the neo-conservative Republicans taking office.

Refer: U.S. Unemployment Rate; Monthly SA, Percent
(From 1970 thru to 200
http://www.economagic.com/em-cgi/data.exe/feddal/ru

Its interesting to analyse the US unemployment rate over a long period, namely 30+ years.

Interesting, because all rises in the unemployment rate, coinside with the neo-conservative Republicans taking office.

Refer: U.S. Unemployment Rate; Monthly SA, Percent
(From 1970 thru to 200
http://www.economagic.com/em-cgi/data.exe/feddal/ru

Oh and obviously, looking at the rates from an extened period of time, give you more of an idea as to what's 'really' happening.

You can't help but laugh

Interesting, because they inherited recessions from Clinton and Carter, then effected a recovery.

Meanwhile, the more socialistic countries in Europe, which is where the Democrats want to take us, all have nearly twice the unemployment of our country.

How is employment in Germany, France, and Russia?

How about Canada?

You haven't really understood my point, which was that the fact that while the more socialist style countries are currently tending to have higher unemployment, it is in no way a linear and fixed relationship and that while it may be related you have given no reason why you think that it is so, and that there are many other factors at work as well which you have chosen to ignore because the idea that socialism is responsible suits your preconceptions.

the whole Eurozone thing isn't helping -- keep the pound, I say

Doing great, thanks!

It seems increasingly likely that you are right. The Euro seems to be screwing things up. It might just be short term though, because of the sneaky price hikes and such.

Arty,

When socialist countries do have full employment, its in a 'make work' capacity. These 'jobs' are not productive, merely a way to hide the fact that more and more people are living on the public dole.

UK? I am interested to see what the figures really are.

The UK rate is 5.1% - http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...975180,00.html

The US rate is 6.2% - http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Your view of how people get jobs in socialist countries is very odd. So you think everyone just sits about doing nothing? Or that there is something inherent in the system that prevents the unemployment level from falling but where some people still do work? What is that something? You have no idea really, you're just trotting out all the stereotypes you've heard on Fox News.

You clearly think that socialism has no merit whatsoever. Go to http://www.worldbank.org/data/databytopic/GNIPC.pdf and look in the right column and you will see that the UK, one of Europe's least socialist countries, is almost exactly on a par with Finland, one of Europe's most socialist countries. This doesn't fit with your black/white worldview, so you might find it a little confusing. Remember that I'm not saying that socialism is better, I'm just pointing out that you let your prejudices get the better of you more often than most.

UK and Finland are both socialist from where I am looking. Anyway, the last time I looked at population levels I recall that the UK had a much greater population than Finland. I would bet money that the UK has more people living on the public dole than Finland, which is socialism. Percentage wise? I can't say, but I will check it out and get back to you on it.

I wonder if London might have a greater population than Finland. I will have to check and get back on it.

Anyway, there were alot of "make work" programs in socialist countries. Basically having five men doing a job that would normally be done by just one. This was reported in even the liberal newspapers during the collapse of the Soviet Union a decade ago.

Bollocks. New Zealand is a socialist democracy with 4% unemployment and no make-work schemes.