BERLIN, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Germany's unemployment fell by 13,000 in April but remained above the 3-million mark for a fourth consecutive month, official data showed on Thursday, pointing to a weakening labor market amid mounting economic uncertainty.
The number of the unemployed stood at around 3.01 million, according to the Federal Employment Agency (BA). The jobless rate held steady at an elevated 6.4 percent.
On a year-on-year basis, however, unemployment rose by 77,000, with the jobless rate edging up 0.1 percentage point.
"A turnaround in the labor market is not yet in sight," BA head Andrea Nahles said, adding that the typical spring recovery remained subdued in April.
Germany's unemployed total has stayed above the 3-million threshold since January, the highest level in 12 years, reflecting the prolonged toll of an economic downturn.
Analysts have warned that escalating tensions in the Middle East could further weigh on the labor market by dampening business confidence and delaying hiring decisions. ■