Part-time work in Germany ranks among the highest within the European Union
Germany Rules Part-Time Games Across the EU
good ol' Germany reigns supreme as the EU's leader in part-time employment. The Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, Germany, revealed that in 2024, a whopping 29% of working-age Germans between 15 and 64 worked part-time, with only the Netherlands (43%) and Austria (31%) snapping at their heels. The EU average, on the other hand, sat at a mere 18%.
Breaking it down by gender, women in Germany were more than four times as likely to work part-time at 48%, while men clocked in at 12%. EU-wide, the gap wasn't as stark, with 22% of women and 15% of men working part-time.
Amidst the economic dogfight Germany was facing, some were calling for longer working hours and fewer part-time giggles. The argument was that this was the key to securing prosperity, a claim echoed by business associations and managers. But the federal government had other ideas, considering the introduction of a weekly instead of daily max working time. Unions, however, vehemently opposed this as the end of the eight-hour day.
German Work Week Inches Beneath EU Average
But don't get it twisted; Germans aren't slacking off. The Federal Statistical Office reported that the weekly working time of full-time employees in Germany was 40.2 hours, just below the EU average (40.3 hours). The past decade has seen a slight decline in working hours across both Germany and the EU.
Interestingly, Germany's high part-time employment rate coincides with a higher overall employment rate. In 2024, an impressive 77% of Germans aged 15 to 64 were employed - a figure well above the EU employment rate of 71%. Among women, the employment rate was a whopping 74%, a full 8 percentage points ahead of the EU average.
The Part-Time Debate
"Germany boasts a high employment rate, especially among women, which is a fantastic development," says Yvonne Lott, work-time expert at the Hans-Böckler-Foundation's Institute for Economic and Social Research. "To build on this, the federal government could focus on promoting compatibility between work and family life, possibly through innovative working time models that encourage flexible and moderate daily working hours."
However, plans to ditch the daily max working time are drawing flak. Lott argues, "Long daily working hours make it tough for those with care responsibilities to stay employed."
Germany's part-time culture is rooted in a combination of cultural, institutional, and policy factors. The country's well-developed social protection system, including generous parental leave and family support policies, encourages individuals, especially women and parents, to opt for part-time work for a better work-life balance[3]. Over the past few decades, labor market reforms have also made it simpler for both employers and employees to negotiate flexible working arrangements, leading to a higher prevalence of part-time contracts compared to many other EU countries[3]. The service sector, a major contributor to Germany's economy, also tends to lean on flexible employment models, further boosting part-time rates.
While pushing for longer working hours might provide short-term economic benefits, it risks undermining the social and institutional strengths that have made Germany’s labor market both adaptable and robust. The high rate of part-time employment is more than just a personal preference; it's a testament to policies designed to support diverse work-life needs and gender equality[3].
In the context of Germany's part-time employment dominance within the EU, a focus on workplace wellness and health-and-wellness initiatives could prove beneficial. The high part-time employment rate in Germany (48% for women and 12% for men) coincides with a well-developed social protection system and policies encouraging work-life balance. This trend could be further bolstered by science-driven solutions that promote flexible and moderate daily working hours, enhancing the compatibility between work and family life.
Given Germany's part-time culture being rooted in a combination of cultural, institutional, and policy factors, incorporating strategies related to science, workplace-wellness, and health-and-wellness into labor market reforms could create a more positive work environment and foster better work-life balance. This approach could help make Germany's labor market even more adaptable and robust while maintaining its competitive edge in the EU.
