Employment growth slowed in Germany. The number of people employed in Germany rose by 358,000 people, or 0.8% in July compared to July 2018, Statistisches Bundesamt reported Thursday. That’s lower than the year-over-year growth of 0.9% in June, 0.9% in May and 1.0% in April.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed persons rose to 1.35 million in July from 1.34 million in June, an increase of approximately 700,000.

Reuters reported Germany’s economy is sputtering and adding to expectations that there will be a European Central bank stimulus package next month.