German unemployment slightly higher in December at 6.4 percent, but labor market still strong

Germany's unemployment rose slightly in December to 6.4 percent as the labor market in Europe's largest economy remained strong.

The Federal Labor Agency said Wednesday that 2,763,521 Germans were registered as unemployed in December, up by about 47,000 over the previous month — pushing the unadjusted jobless rate up from 6.3 percent.

When adjusted for seasonal factors, however, the December rate fell to 6.5 percent from 6.6 percent the previous month. The agency revised its November figure down from an initial reading of 6.7 percent.