·
The latest data on employment in Germany is encouraging. Since the
data are not seasonally adjusted, year-to-year comparisons are more
meaningful than quarter-to-quarter comparisons. On this basis the
trend in total employment appears to have begun to turn up from the
trough reached in the first quarter of this year.· Much of the improvement in employment has taken place in the service sectors--the financial and business area and in the broad category of social services that cover health, education, welfare, etc. Employment in these sectors has shown a secular upward trend. Among the more cyclical sectors, the trade and transport sector employment is beginning to improve, but the construction and manufacturing sectors continue to lag.