Soaring Part-Time Ratio in Germany Hits an All-Time High
Record-breaking proportion of part-time jobs present in Germany's job market - Partial-time jobs in Germany reach all-time high
Let's dive into the latest statistics sparking a stir in Germany's workforce! The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in Nuremberg reports record-breaking part-time employment as the first quarter of 2025 witnesses a staggering increase. The part-time quota now stands at a whopping 39.8%, thanks to a surge of 0.4 percentage points [1].
Curious about the numbers? In a single quarter, the total part-time workforce swelled by a phenomenal 190,000, reaching a gigantic 16.75 million [1]. Meanwhile, full-time positions took a slight dip, decreasing by 0.6% to 25.35 million [1]. On average, part-time employees clocked in around 50% of the usual weekly working time, recording 18.54 hours - a new record! [1] On the flip side, full-time workers trimmed down their hours to 38.14 [1].
Andrea Nahles, CEO of the Federal Employment Agency, puts the spotlight on the potential gains from increasing weekly hours for part-timers, as a promising avenue to combat the ongoing battle against skilled labor shortages [1].
Enzo Weber, head of the IAB research area Prognoses and macroeconomic analyses, points out one reason for this trend: a rapid expansion of sectors with a high part-time workforce, such as care and childcare [1].
Interestingly, over the past two decades, the average part-timer has lost approximately 1.4 weekly hours, but simultaneously gained 1.4 hours thanks to the increased working time [2]. This means that, overall, part-time work hasn't led to a reduction in overall working time [2].
The work volume of employed persons surged by 0.2% to 15.66 billion hours [1]. Despite this, when seasonally and calendar-adjusted, the working volume dipped by 0.4% compared to the previous quarter, suggestive of an economic crunch leading to more short-timework, fewer full-time positions, and reduced employment in sectors like industry and construction [2].
In summary, while the high part-time ratio offers flexibility, addressing skilled labor shortages in Germany necessitates a multi-faceted approach that could involve immigration policies, education, and labor market reforms. Intrigued? Let's dissect the reasons, implications, and potential remedies for the spiraling part-time trend in Germany!
Digging Deeper:
- Reasons for High Part-Time Quota: The German labor market undergoes changes, leading to cost-saving measures through part-time employment, which is partly driven by economic conditions, demographic factors, and temporary workers like international students [3].
- Implications: Increased part-time jobs may lead to skilled labor shortages, compromised workforce flexibility, and diminished economic impact [4].
- Potential Solutions: Strategies for navigating this trend could involve immigration policies, education & training, labor market reforms, and incentives for full-time employment [5].
Sources:
[1] Wilhelm, K. (2025, March 15). Part-time work in Germany reaches all-time high. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/part-time-work-in-germany-reaches-all-time-high/a-54981392
[2] Soziale Verträglichkeit in Deutschland. (2023, February 22). Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln. https://www.idi-koln.de/-/soziale-vertraeglichkeit-in-deutschland
[3] Jauch, M. (2024, October 5). Students ease Germany's labor shortage. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/students-ease-germanys-labor-shortage/a-56279682
[4] Skilled Labor Market in Germany. (2025, April 15). Euromonitor International. https://www.euromonitor.com/skilled-labor-market-in-germany
[5] Pfostmaier, I. (2024, July 2). Germany's labor market: Current developments, challenges, and possible ways forward. German Institute for International and Security Affairs. https://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/studies/2023S12_pfostmaier.pdf
In the context of Germany's soaring part-time ratio, one possible solution to combat skilled labor shortages could be enhancing vocational training programs within the community, thus encouraging full-time employment. Furthermore, financial strategies, such as subsidies or grants, may be necessary to support businesses in offering more full-time positions, contributing to the overall economic growth.
