In unadjusted terms, jobless numbers in Germany fell by 68,000 to 2.54 million in October, 109,000 fewer than in the same month a year earlier, the Nuremberg-based Federal Labor Office (BA) reported Wednesday.

The unemployment rate thus dropped by 0.1 percent to 5.8 percent in October, marking the lowest level since 1991, a year after the country reunited.

"In the wake of the autumn economic pick-up, employment has risen again," said BA President Frank-Jürgen Weise. "Demand for new workers keeps increasing."

Increased hiring activities

The picture was also positive in seasonally adjusted terms, with jobless numbers falling by 13,000 to 2.662 million, the BA report pointed out.

Analysts polled by the Reuters news agency had expected a drop of only 1,000 for October in adjusted terms.

BA officials said Wednesday there was a growing shortage of skilled workers in the country, reporting 691,000 vacancies for October, that's 79,000 more than in the same month a year earlier.

hg/jd (dpa, Reuters)