The number of people out of work in Germany posted a surprise gain in July, underlining the risks to growth in Europe's biggest economy, data released on Thursday showed, according to dpa. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rose by 9,000 to reach 2.99 million this month as school leavers and those finishing training schemes flooded the labour market, the labour office said. "Overall, the labour market is in good shape," said labour office chief Frank-Juergen Weise, adding the main reason for the increase was the temporary search for jobs during the summer months. The jobless rate held steady at 6.4 per cent, its lowest level since German unification in 1990.
