Work Hours in Germany: A Comparative Insight

Recent studies reveal that Germans work considerably fewer hours than their counterparts in most OECD countries, trailing only France and Belgium. The decline in work hours prompts concerns about a looming labor shortage across various sectors.

Germany's high part-time employment rates and the impact of policies like early retirement at 63 are seen as key contributors to this trend. The new Federal Minister of Labor, Bärbel Bas, aims to enhance working conditions, particularly for women, to combat issues like pension poverty.

Despite a slight increase in work hours since reunification, Germany faces a projected deficit of 4.2 billion working hours by 2030, raising alarms about the sustainability of its workforce.

Recent findings from the Institute of the German Economy (IW) reveal that Germans work significantly fewer hours than their counterparts in other developed nations. Specifically, Germany ranks third from the bottom in the OECD regarding working hours per capita among the working-age population. This situation has prompted Chancellor Friedrich Merz to urge a cultural shift towards increased productivity. He advocates for a standard 40-hour workweek as part of the coalition agreement. The study indicates that citizens of countries like New Zealand, the Czech Republic, and Israel contribute far more hours to the workforce. As a consequence of this trend, experts warn of an impending labor shortage, predicting a deficit of approximately 4.2 billion working hours by 2030, particularly affecting sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and skilled trades. In response to this challenge, the government aims to enhance workforce participation among women by improving working conditions for mothers and expanding childcare services. The debate surrounding work ethic and productivity continues to intensify, with economists and historians discussing potential reforms. As Germany grapples with these issues, the focus remains on fostering a more robust labor market to maintain competitiveness on a global scale.

Germany experienced a reduction in employment in the first quarter of 2023, with the number of employees dropping by 0.9% compared to the previous quarter and by 0.1% year-on-year. This marks the second consecutive quarterly decline following a period of steady employment growth. Despite this downturn in the labor market, the country saw a notable increase in business activity. The number of economically significant business establishments rose by 11.4% compared to the previous year, and overall business registrations increased by 2.1%. This dual development suggests an economic environment that is both challenging and dynamic. In the construction sector, there was a resurgence in building permits, which increased by 3.4% compared to the previous year, with a significant rise in permits for single-family homes. This positive trend could signal a gradual improvement in the housing market, although over half of the companies in this sector report a lack of orders. Meanwhile, the financial performance of Germany's largest DAX companies showed signs of strain. Profits fell by 8.1% while employment within these companies decreased by about 32,000 positions. Despite these setbacks, the overall revenue of these corporations increased by 3.3%, illustrating a mixed picture of resilience and challenge. The economic landscape remains complex, influenced by geopolitical tensions and domestic economic policies. These factors contribute to a cautious outlook as businesses and policymakers navigate through uncertain times.

stern

18. Mai 2025 um 09:06

Study: Germans Work Much Less Than Residents of Other Economic Nations

Germans work significantly less than other OECD countries; only France and Belgium work even less; working hours in countries like Spain, Greece, and Poland have increased significantly.

Deutsche Welle

18. Mai 2025 um 13:00

Study: Germans Work Less Compared to International Standards

A new study shows that Germans work fewer hours compared to employees in most other economic nations. Germany ranks only third after France and Belgium in terms of hours worked per resident of working age (15-64 years). The new Federal Minister of Labor, Bärbel Bas, aims to help women escape the part-time trap and focuses on expanding childcare to prevent old-age poverty.

Frankfurter Rundschau

18. Mai 2025 um 11:13

Germans work much less than other nations - institute has two central demands

Germany ranks third from last in the international comparison of working hours per employed person. According to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW), an average of 1,036 hours were worked in 2023, which is even less than in France and Belgium. The IW criticizes pension policy as a significant factor in this development and calls for the abolition of disincentives such as the reintroduction of the 63-year-old pension. The IW president warns of the consequences of the skilled labor sho..

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Work Hours in Germany: A Comparative Insight

Study: Germans Work Much Less Than Residents of Other Economic Nations

Study: Germans Work Less Compared to International Standards

Germans work much less than other nations - institute has two central demands

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Work Hours in Germany: A Comparative Insight

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Germans Work Less: A Call for Change

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Study: Germans Work Much Less Than Residents of Other Economic Nations

Study: Germans Work Less Compared to International Standards

Germans work much less than other nations - institute has two central demands

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