German jobless numbers tick up in August

(AP) The Federal Labor Agency says the number of jobless in Germany, Europe's largest economy, rose slightly in August as the economy slowed but the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.8 percent.

The agency said Thursday that 29,000 more Germans were out of work in August, raising the jobless total to 2.9 million.

When adjusted for seasonal factors, jobless numbers rose 9,000, for an unchanged rate of 6.8 percent.

Compared with August 2011, the number of jobless fell by 40,000.

German unemployment remains low, in sharp contrast with rates of more than 20 percent in Spain and Greece. The country has enjoyed two years of strong economic growth but it has been slowing lately.

Worries are growing that demand for German goods will be hit by weakening economies across Europe.