German eyewear sector sees rising unemployment and job vacancies in September 2026

The Federal Employment Agency reported that 723 opticians were registered as unemployed in Germany in September 2026, a 0.4% increase from the same month in 2025. Job seekers in the sector totaled 1,196 individuals, marking a 6.3% rise compared to September 2025. Concurrently, 1,063 open positions were recorded, maintaining high demand levels above spring figures. The data indicates a resilient labor market where vacancies significantly exceed the number of unemployed opticians. While unemployment rose slightly year-over-year, the persistent shortage of qualified specialists remains evident, with the count of available jobs surpassing those seeking work.