German unemployment rate slips but less than expected

Germany's jobless rate declined in January, though the number of unemployed dropped less than economists expected.

The German unemployment rate declined to 6.5% from December's revised reading of 6.6%. The initial reading for the prior month was 6.5% before the revision and consensus had expected no change.

The number of jobless decreased by 8,000, slightly worse than the consensus forecast for a decline of 10,000 people.