Employment in Germany: decline recorded in the 3rd quarter of 2024

Marc Nemitz Marc Nemitz | 19.11.2024

Services as a ray of hope: While industry and construction are weakening, the service sector is keeping employment stable

Wiesbaden, November 19, 2024 - The number of people in employment in Germany fell slightly in the third quarter of 2024. According to preliminary calculations by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), seasonally adjusted employment fell by 45,000 people (-0.1%) - the first decline since the 1st quarter of 2021. Not seasonally adjusted, the number remained almost constant with an increase of just 23,000 people (0.0%).

Service sector grows - manufacturing and construction sectors lose ground

While the service sectors were able to support employment, the manufacturing and construction sectors recorded declines:

  • Service sectors: Up 173,000 people (+0.5%) compared to the same quarter of the previous year, driven in particular by public service providers, education and health (+202,000 people; +1.7%).
  • Manufacturing industry (excluding construction): Down 73,000 people (-0.9%) year-on-year.
  • Construction: minus 30,000 people (-1.1%).
  • Agriculture, forestry and fishing: down 4,000 (-0.7%).

Upward trend in jobs subject to social insurance contributions - decline in self-employment

The number of employees subject to social security contributions rose by 88,000 (+0.2%) to 42.3 million compared to the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, the number of self-employed persons and family workers fell by 22,000 (-0.6%) to 3.8 million.

Slight increase in volume of work and hours worked

The average number of hours worked per employee increased by 0.2% to 340.7 hours. The total volume of work in the economy grew by 0.4% year-on-year to 15.7 billion hours.

Germany below EU average for employment growth

In a European comparison, the growth in employment in Germany lagged behind the average figures. In the 27 EU member states, employment rose by 0.8% in the third quarter of 2024, in the eurozone by 1.0%, while Germany only recorded an increase of 0.1%.


Like it? Please spread the word:


Newsletter

Startups, stories and stats from the German startup ecosystem straight to your inbox. Subscribe with 2 clicks. Noice.

LinkedIn Connect

Take care, give care

Did this news inform or entertain you? Then we would be happy if you tell your network about it.

Share on Linkedin Share on Facebook Share on Xing

FYI: English edition available

Hello my friend, have you been stranded on the German edition of Startbase? At least your browser tells us, that you do not speak German - so maybe you would like to switch to the English edition instead?

Go to English edition

FYI: Deutsche Edition verfügbar

Hallo mein Freund, du befindest dich auf der Englischen Edition der Startbase und laut deinem Browser sprichst du eigentlich auch Deutsch. Magst du die Sprache wechseln?

Deutsche Edition öffnen

Similar posts