This value was almost never reached in the previous 20 years, according to a study by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), which is available to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
The result matches the national accounts, where a new record of 55 billion working hours was achieved for the whole of 2023. Because vacation, sickness or strike days are deducted here, the annual value is lower. It is noteworthy that, according to the DIW, employees work an average of 36.5 hours per week, 2.5 hours less than at the time of reunification. However, since significantly more women are working than 30 years ago, the overall volume of work has increased.
The data also shows how concerns about staff shortages can be addressed. Accordingly, 30 percent of female unskilled workers and 20 percent of female skilled workers would like to work at least four hours a week longer than they do now. Obstacles to this include a lack of childcare options.
