BERLIN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The number of unemployed people in Germany rose by 26,000 to 2.351 million as a result of the summer break in August, official figures published by the Federal Employment Agency (BA) on Thursday showed.

However, compared to the previous year, 194,000 fewer people were registered as unemployed. As a result, the official unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 5.2 percent. After adjustment for seasonal effects, a decline of 8,000 was calculated for August compared to the previous month.

"The seasonal increase in the number of unemployed was even slightly weaker than expected," explained BA chairman of the board Detlef Scheele.

The demand for labor in Germany remains high. In July, the BA recorded the highest ever reading of the official work demand barometer since its introduction in 2005. In August, 828,000 vacancies, 62,000 more than a year ago, were reported to the BA.

Workers in technical and metal-related occupations, as well as in transport, retail and health care are particularly sought after. "This is the result of the last months," said Scheele.