German unemployment rises less than expected in December, labour office says

BERLIN, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The number of people out of work in Germany rose in December but less than expected, labour office figures showed on Wednesday, closing a year of sluggish job market recovery in Europe's largest economy.

The office said the number of unemployed grew by 3,000 in seasonally adjusted terms. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a rise of 5,000.

The seasonally adjusted job rate remained stable at 6.3%.

"The labor market continues to lack economic momentum," said labour office head Andrea Nahles. "The weak trend is therefore continuing at the end of the year."