FEWER JOBLESS: Germany's unemployment rate fell to 7 percent last month with 2.96 million registered as jobless in April, the lowest figure for the month in 20 years.
SEASONAL: Germany's labor agency said the unemployment rate slipped from 7.2 percent in March thanks to the continuing traditional springtime upturn and the country's robust economy.
CONTEXT: Germany has led the 17-nation eurozone with two years of strong economic growth, though it's expected to grow by less than 1 percent this year after expanding by 3 percent in 2011.