Germans work less: Merz calls for more effort in the job!

Germans work less: Merz calls for more effort in the job!

The labor market debate in Germany is taking on new forms. In 2023, the average working hours per employable resident was only 1,036 hours, as an analysis by the German Economic Institute (IW) shows. This puts Germany in third-to-last place among the 38 OECD countries. Only France (1,027 hours) and Belgium (1,021 hours) had fewer, while New Zealand takes the lead with around 1,402 hours. These figures illustrate the challenge facing the German labor market.

The discussion about working hours is becoming increasingly controversial. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has taken a clear position and is calling for an increase in working hours in Germany. Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil also speaks out and points out that increased employment by women could lead to an increase in working hours. This could be supported by improving working conditions for mothers and the planned expansion of child care, which the black-red coalition is pointing to.

Comparison of working hours

A look back at the last few years shows an interesting development. Compared to 2013, when average working hours were around 1,013, Germans actually worked more in 2023. Nevertheless, the trend has remained downward since the 1970s, although there has been an increase since reunification. This development is alarming, especially in a context in which IW President Michael Hüther warns of an impending shortage of skilled workers. According to his forecast, almost 4.2 billion working hours could be lost by the end of the decade.

In addition, the employment rate in Germany in 2023 will be high at 77.2 percent, which is above the OECD average of 69 percent. However, it should be noted that around 30 percent of employees in Germany work part-time. For comparison: In Italy this value is 18 percent and in Poland it is only 6 percent. This difference highlights the problem of part-time work in the German working landscape.

Political demands and challenges

The debate over working hours is not just a question of the number of hours worked, but also the conditions under which people work. Among other things, the IW criticizes the steep tax rate for middle incomes, which makes overtime unattractive. There are also calls for disincentives such as retirement at 63 to be abolished in order to improve the labor market structure.

In summary, it can be said that the question of working time in Germany is not just a statistical matter, but is deeply anchored in social and economic structures. The current debates lead to crucial questions about the future of the labor market and the quality of life of citizens.

For more information, take a look at the analysis from Deutschlandfunk and t online.