A significant portion (over one-third) of individuals work for less than €3500 on a full-time basis. - Over a third of individuals working full time earn less than € 3,500 annually.
## Low Wages Persist for Many Full-Time Workers in Germany
New statistics released by the German Ministry of Labour reveal that a significant portion of full-time employees in the country are earning relatively low wages, particularly in some regions.
### National Figures
Across Germany, 20.9% of full-time employees earned less than €2,750 per month, and 41.6% earned less than €3,500, according to the statistics, which cover all full-time employees of the so-called core group, excluding trainees, activities in sheltered workshops, voluntary services, and youth welfare.
### Regional Disparities
The figures vary significantly across the country. In Bavaria, 17.8% of full-time employees subject to social security contributions earned less than €2,750, while 38.0% earned less than €3,500. In comparison, the West German average for the proportion of full-time employees earning less than €2,750 is 18.9%.
Berlin, like Bavaria, had 38.0% of full-time employees earning less than €3,500 in 2023. However, Hamburg has the lowest percentage of full-time employees earning less than €2,750 among the federal states and city-states, with 15.4%.
In the eastern states (excluding Berlin), 30.4% of full-time employees earned less than €2,750 per month, and on average, 54.4% earned less than €3,500 gross. Baden-Württemberg has the highest percentage of full-time employees earning less than €3,500 among the federal states, with 33.6%.
### Regional Comparisons
The statistics provided do not compare the percentage of full-time employees earning less than €3,500 in the eastern states (excluding Berlin) to the West German average of 38.9%. Similarly, the ministry's statistics do not specify the federal states or city-states with the highest or lowest percentages of full-time employees earning less than €2,750 or €3,500, beyond Berlin and the eastern states (excluding Berlin).
### Impact on the National Average
The situation in East Germany pulls down the national average for the percentage of full-time employees earning less than €3,500. For instance, in Bavaria, where the percentage is slightly lower than the West German average, it still affected a total of 3.85 million people.
### Absence of 2024 Data
It is worth noting that the ministry's statistics do not yet have data for 2024.
### Unrelated Factors
The statistics provided do not mention Dietmar Bartsch as a factor in the figures.
These statistics highlight the persisting issue of low wages for many full-time workers in Germany. Policymakers and employers may need to address this issue to ensure a fair distribution of income and improve the overall economic well-being of the country.
- Policymakers and employers should consider reviewing and potentially revising community policy and employment policy to address the widespread issue of low wages for many full-time workers, ensuring a fair distribution of income and improving the overall economic well-being of the country.
- As personal-finance management is crucial for individuals, particularly those earning lower wages, policymakers could also consider implementing initiatives to educate workers and improve their financial literacy, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions about budgeting, saving, and investing.
