Germans working less than a select few: A closer look at the OECD rankings
Research Findings: Moderate German Work Hours on Average
Stepping away from the typical chatter surrounding Germany's work culture, a recent study by the Institute of the German Economy (IW) sheds light on some intriguing insights. In a comparison of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations, Germany ranks near the bottom, third from last, when it comes to average annual working hours among those of working age (15-64 years).
BY THE NUMBERS: The numbers tell the story – with 1036 hours worked on average, Germany falls behind nations such as France (1027 hours) and Belgium (1021 hours). On the flip side, New Zealand (1402 hours), the Czech Republic (1326 hours), and Israel (1312 hours) rank among the top countries with the most hours worked each year.
ON THE RISE: Contrary to popular belief, Germans did work more hours in 2023 than a decade prior. Back in 2013, they clocked in at around 1013 hours per working-age person. As per IW labor market expert and study author, Holger Schäfer, this decrease in average hours worked since the 1970s has been gradually offset by an uptick since reunification.
A SHORTAGE OF SKILLED WORKERS: In the spirit of caution, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently advocated for increased work efforts, citing the persistent issue of a skilled labor shortage. This is a sentiment shared by IW President Michael Hüther, who noted that the shortage is felt daily in various sectors such as restaurants, caregiving, and daycare centers, among others. The result: Germany is projected to be short around 4.2 billion working hours by the end of the decade.
EMPLOYMENT ON THE RISE: Despite the OECD ranking, total working hours in 2024 hit a record high of over 61.3 billion, a significant increase from four years prior. This surge can be attributed to the growing number of employed individuals – over 46 million – also an all-time high.
WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE: The increase in overall working hours can primarily be attributed to the growing number of women in the workforce. In 1991, just 57% of working-age women were employed compared to a staggering 73.6% in 2023. The employment rate for men also increased, climbing from 78.4% in 1991 to 80.8% in 2023.
PART-TIME PREFERENCE: It's worth noting that Germany maintains one of the highest part-time employment rates among Western industrialized countries, with a rate of 29.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Critics argue this could be a bottleneck, particularly in many parts of Western Germany, due to inadequate childcare facilities. Experts and economic associations have long advocated for improvements in this area to facilitate full-time employment opportunities, especially for women. Today, nearly half (48.7%) of employed women work part-time, compared to one in eight (12%) employed men.
Sources:- ntv.de- als/AFP- OECD- Institute of the German Economy Cologne- Federal Statistical Office- Labor Market- Employees- Working Hours- Women- Employment.
- The increased number of women entering the workforce and opting for part-time work, as shown in the Federal Statistical Office's employment data, could be impacting Germany's community policy regarding vocational training, as more flexible schedules may affect the availability of trainees for businesses in various sectors.
- In an effort to address the persisting skilled labor shortage and the general-news concern about Germany's OECD ranking, economic associations have advocated for vocational training programs to be more accessible and flexible, aligning with the lifestyles and financial needs of a diverse workforce, potentially attracting more individuals to full-time employment and improving the overall business landscape.
