The jobless rate, both in raw and seasonally adjusted terms, was unchanged in October from September, the Federal Labour Agency said in a statement.

In raw or unadjusted terms, the jobless rate was steady at 6.5 percent and in seasonally adjusted terms -- which irons out usual seasonal fluctuations -- it stood at 6.9 percent.

But the jobless total rose by 20,000 in seasonally adjusted terms, as Europe's recession increasingly makes itself felt in the region's top economy, the agency calculated.

"So far, the German economy remains on a shallow growth path, despite the unfavourable conditions," said agency chief Frank Weise.

"But as the year-end approaches, it will become more difficult for Germany to remain untouched by Europe's recession."

In raw or unadjusted terms, the total number of people registered as unemployed in Germany fell by 34,889 to 2.753 million in October, the agency calculated.