german jobless claims fell by more than expected in december the federal employment agency said tuesday jobless claims fell by 23000 on month after declining by 34000 in november economists polled by the wall street journal had forecast a decline of 15000 the adjusted unemployment rate was at 52 in december down from 53 in november and below the forecast of 53 of economists polled by the wall street journal the number of registered job vacancies stood at 794000 in december up 213000 on year the agency said