The number of unemployed in Germany dropped for the thirteenth consecutive month in July, as improved economic conditions boost the country's labor market. The continuing decline in unemployment triggered hopes that private consumption will soon contribute positively to the economic growth.

There were 20,000 fewer unemployed in Germany in the month of July compared to June on a seasonally adjusted basis, data released by the Federal Labor Agency showed Thursday. That matched economists' expectations and June's revised figure. Earlier, the agency had reported a 21,000 fall for June. The seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment eased to 7.6% in the month from 7.7% recorded in June. That was also in line with economists' expectations.

"The German economy is recovering, the situation on the labor market has continued to improve," said Federal Labor Agency chairman Frank-Juergen Weise.

Germany's labor market was resilient to economic shocks compared to other nations in the region. The government led by Chancellor Angela Merkal used short-term working as a weapon to address the labor market slowdown.

Commerzbank's Eckart Tuchtfeld expects the decline in unemployment to continue. "In fact, the number of unemployed might soon be lower than before the recession and the financial-market crisis," the analyst said in a note.

A recent consumer survey revealed that German households are increasingly optimistic about the economy, employment and income. Economic forecasters are now even expecting the number of unemployed to fall below three million this autumn. German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said on Tuesday that consumers' intention to buy and consumption are expected to grow this year, contributing positively to overall economic development.

"July's fall in German unemployment will add to hopes that the impressive recovery in exports and industry might soon spread to the consumer sector," said Jennifer McKeown, an economist at Capital Economics. She added that the ongoing employment recovery should support household incomes, perhaps prompting a pick-up in domestic spending that would provide a lifeline for the Eurozone's beleaguered periphery by supporting their exports. It would also ensure a sustained recovery in Germany even as global demand slows in the coming quarters.

The labor agency further said the number of jobless continued to rise on an unadjusted basis. In July, the number rose by 39,000 to 3.2 million. The jobless rate inched up to 7.6% from 7.5% recorded in June.

Earlier in the day, data released by the Federal Statistical Office showed that the jobless rate according to the International Labor Organization concept, was 7% in June, unchanged from May. The number of persons in employment amounted to 40.3 million, showing an increase of 131,000 persons or 0.3% from a year ago.