Increased Average Work Hours per Worker - Women Contributing Significantly
In the three decades since German reunification, the average weekly working hours per capita in Germany have seen a significant increase, reaching nearly 29 hours per week—the highest level since reunification. This rise is primarily attributed to women's increased labor participation and working hours [2].
In 1991, women in Germany worked an average of around 14 hours less than men per week. Fast forward to 2022, and this gap has narrowed substantially, with women now working just over nine hours less than men on average [1]. This shift is reflected in the proportion of women in employment, which has risen by almost a third over the past three decades [1].
Men's average weekly working hours in Germany have shown only slight changes since 1991. Employed men now work an average of 2.6 hours less per week compared to 1991 [1]. Despite this decrease, men's working hours per capita in Germany have remained at a level similar to that seen in the early 1990s [1].
The German Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) has highlighted that this increase in average working hours per capita is mainly due to higher female labor participation, leading to a significant narrowing of the gap between the sexes [2]. After an initial decline due to economic weakness following reunification, men's average weekly working hours reached their lowest point in the mid-2000s. Since then, there has been a recovery in men's average weekly working hours, interrupted only by the COVID-19 pandemic [1].
Cultural, institutional, and economic differences between East and West Germany continue to influence women's employment patterns. Persistent gender norms, particularly surrounding caregiving roles, remain a factor [1]. Employer discrimination patterns also vary, with West German mothers facing hiring discrimination related to family leave length, whereas East German mothers do not show this pattern, possibly reflecting distinct employment cultures [1].
The BiB Director, Katharina Spieß, mentioned that the ideal working hours perceived by women, and mothers in particular, are still higher than the current reality [1]. She emphasised that family-friendly policies, such as the further expansion of childcare, are essential for both women and men to balance work and family life [1].
In conclusion, women's contribution to the rise in average weekly working hours per capita in Germany is a significant factor post-reunification, reflecting shifts in employment and gender roles over more than three decades. Quantitative data shows a historic peak in weekly hours worked per capita at just under 29 hours, with women as the main drivers of this increase [2].
References: [1] BiB (2023). The Evolution of Gender Roles in the German Labor Market. [2] BiB (2022). The Impact of Women's Labor Participation on the German Economy.
