ON
← Back to feed
Labour market: Part-time employment at record level - Industry loses full-time jobs
Germany🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/1/2026

Labour market: Part-time employment at record level - Industry loses full-time jobs

In Germany, the number of part-time workers reached a record high in the second quarter of 2026, according to calculations by the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB). The part-time employment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points compared to the same period last year, reaching over 40 percent. Meanwhile, the number of full-time employees decreased by 0.9 percent. This shift is attributed to growth in sectors with high part-time employment rates, such as healthcare, social services, education, and teaching, while industries with higher full-time employment, like manufacturing, experienced a decline in jobs. Overall employment in Germany fell by 0.5 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 45.688 million people. Full-time workers maintained their weekly working hours at 38.32 hours, while part-time workers saw a slight increase to 18.88 hours per week.

Germany’s labor market reached a new milestone in the second quarter of 2026, with more than six million foreign workers employed in the country. This figure marks the highest number of non-German employees recorded to date, reflecting ongoing trends in international migration and workforce integration. At the same time, the share of part-time workers among all employed individuals has also hit a record high, surpassing 40 percent for the first time. These developments highlight shifting dynamics within Germany's economy and labor structure. The increase in part-time employment was confirmed by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), which reported that the part-time ratio stood at 40.3 percent during the second quarter of 2026. This represents a rise of 0.4 percentage points compared to the previous year. The number of part-time workers grew by 0.5 percent, reaching 16.936 million, while the number of full-time workers declined by 0.9 percent to 25.138 million. Overall, the total number of employed individuals fell slightly by 0.5 percent to nearly 45.7 million. The shift toward part-time work appears to be driven largely by growth in sectors traditionally associated with higher rates of part-time employment, such as healthcare and social services, education, and teaching. According to the IAB, these industries have seen increased hiring, contributing significantly to the rise in part-time positions. Conversely, sectors dominated by full-time roles, particularly manufacturing, have experienced job losses, further influencing the overall trend. Enzo Weber, head of the IAB’s research division on forecasts and macroeconomic analysis, noted that while economic conditions have stabilized recently, leading to a slight increase in working hours, the industrial sector continues to shed full-time jobs. “The economy has consolidated itself,” he stated, “but the crisis industry, particularly manufacturing, is losing many full-time positions, resulting in fewer total working hours.” Full-time employees continued to work an average of 38.32 hours per week, maintaining this level since the previous year. Part-time workers, however, saw their weekly hours increase slightly to 18.88 hours. Meanwhile, self-employed individuals and helpers, who often work in family-owned businesses without formal employee status, experienced a decline in working hours, dropping by 1.2 percent compared to the prior year. Total working hours across the economy decreased by 0.5 percent compared to the same period last year, amounting to 14.4 billion hours. Weber explained that while there was a post-pandemic recovery phase, the current trajectory shows a downward trend in overall labor input. “After the pandemic, we saw some recovery,” he said, “but now the volume of work is declining again.” Discussions around how to make Germany more competitive and attractive as a business location have intensified in recent months. Many corporate representatives advocate for longer working hours as a means to enhance productivity and reduce costs. Michael Kretschmer, the Prime Minister of Saxony and a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), emphasized the need for structural reforms. “Production must become simpler, easier, and cheaper in Germany,” he said, suggesting that extending the standard workweek to 40 hours could be one potential solution. The dual trends of increasing part-time employment and decreasing full-time positions underscore broader shifts in Germany’s labor landscape. As industries evolve and adapt to changing economic realities, policymakers and business leaders face mounting pressure to address challenges related to workforce flexibility, productivity, and competitiveness. The interplay between immigration policies and domestic labor supply will likely remain central to these discussions moving forward.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (1)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

6 reports

Die Zeit logoDie ZeitIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 859/1/2026
Labour market: Part-time employment at record level - Industry loses full-time jobs

In Germany, the number of part-time workers reached a record high in the second quarter of 2026, according to calculations by the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB). The part-time employment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points compared to the same period last year, reaching over 40 percent. Meanwhile, the number of full-time employees decreased by 0.9 percent. This shift is attributed to growth in sectors with high part-time employment rates, such as healthcare, social services, education, and teaching, while industries with higher full-time employment, like manufacturing, experienced a decline in jobs. Overall employment in Germany fell by 0.5 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 45.688 million people. Full-time workers maintained their weekly working hours at 38.32 hours, while part-time workers saw a slight increase to 18.88 hours per week.

Bias read (Center): The article presents statistical data from the IAB without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on labor market trends without taking a clear stance on the implications or causes beyond citing sector-specific factors. The tone remains neutral, focusing on numerical changes and I

Why factuality (90): This article closely mirrors the IAB findings, including the exact percentages and the reasons behind the shift in employment types. It provides specific numbers for part-time and full-time workers, matching the primary source document precisely.

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a balanced approach by discussing both the record part-time employment and the decline in full-time positions. However, it slightly emphasizes the impact of industry-specific changes, which may lean towards highlighting certain sectors over others.

Süddeutsche Zeitung logoSüddeutsche ZeitungIndependent🔒CenterFactual 90Objective 859/1/2026
Part-time employment at new highs - Economy - SZ.de

The article reports that the proportion of part-time workers in Germany has reached a new record high, indicating a growing trend toward flexible employment arrangements. This development is presented within the broader economic context, highlighting potential implications for labor market dynamics and workforce participation. The focus is on statistical trends rather than specific policies or controversies, suggesting a neutral observational stance. No direct commentary on the causes or consequences of this shift is provided, maintaining a descriptive approach.

Bias read (Center): The article presents data on part-time work rates without overtly favoring any particular political ideology or policy direction. It focuses on factual reporting of economic indicators rather than taking a clear ideological stance. While the topic relates to labor policy, which is politically saliēt

Why factuality (90): The article directly quotes the IAB data, including the exact percentage of 40.3% and the change in employment figures. It presents the information clearly and concisely without adding external commentary beyond what is stated in the primary source.

Why objectivity (85): While the content is factual and aligned with the primary source, the headline and subheadings suggest a focus on the positive aspect of increased part-time work, which might subtly frame the story in a more favorable light.

Die Zeit logoDie ZeitIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/1/2026
Parttime work: Never before have so many people worked parttime

The article reports that the proportion of part-time workers in Germany has reached a record high, with 40.3 percent of all employed individuals working part-time in the second quarter of 2026. This marks the first time the threshold of 40 percent has been surpassed. The increase is attributed to growth in sectors with high part-time employment rates, such as healthcare and social services, while industries with many full-time positions, particularly manufacturing, have seen staff reductions. Full-time workers still average 38.32 hours per week, while part-timers work around 18.88 hours. Overall, total working hours decreased by 0.5 percent to 14.4 billion hours. The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) notes that although economic conditions have improved, the industrial sector continues to lose full-time jobs, leading to a net decrease in overall working hours.

Bias read (Center): The article presents data-driven findings without overt ideological slant, focusing on statistical trends and expert commentary. It does not take a clear stance on whether this trend is positive or negative, nor does it emphasize any particular political agenda. The framing remains neutral, relying

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the increase in part-time employment percentage from 40.3% as per the IAB data. It mentions the rise in part-time workers and decline in full-time workers, aligning with the primary source. However, it adds some contextual analysis not present in the original report, s

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, presenting both increases and decreases in employment types. However, there is a slight emphasis on the significance of the milestone (over 40%) and the implications for labor market trends, which could be seen as slightly interpretive.

Handelsblatt logoHandelsblattIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 809/1/2026
Labour market: Part-time employment rate in Germany reaches new high of 40.3%

The article reports that the proportion of part-time workers in Germany has reached a new record high of 40.3 percent. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years, indicating a growing trend toward part-time employment in the country. The data suggests a shift in labor market dynamics, potentially influenced by factors such as economic conditions, demographic changes, and evolving workplace policies. While the report highlights this statistical milestone, it does not delve into the broader implications or underlying causes behind the rise in part-time work.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data without overt ideological framing. It focuses on a statistical development rather than taking a stance on policy solutions or societal impacts. As such, the framing remains balanced and neutral.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reflects the IAB data regarding the increase in part-time employment and the decrease in full-time positions. It uses the correct percentages and aligns with the primary source, though it omits some details like the exact number of full-time workers.

Why objectivity (80): The article has a slightly more negative tone toward full-time employment, emphasizing the 'decline' and using phrases like 'noch nie gab es so viele Teilzeitbeschäftigte,' which could be interpreted as highlighting the contrast between the two employment types.

Handelsblatt logoHandelsblattIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 758/28/2026
Labour market: more than six million foreign workers for the first time

The article reports that Germany has reached a new milestone in its labor market, with more than six million foreign workers employed. This figure marks a significant increase compared to previous years and highlights the growing role of international labor in the German economy. The inclusion of foreign workers has become increasingly important as Germany faces labor shortages in various sectors. The article does not provide specific data on which industries or regions are most affected by this trend, but it underscores the impact of immigration on the workforce.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on employment statistics without overtly favoring any particular political perspective. It focuses on numerical data and does not include commentary or framing that suggests a clear ideological slant.

Why factuality (85): The article reports that for the first time more than six million foreign workers are employed, based on cross-source consensus indicating this milestone has been reached. No primary source was available, but the claim aligns with broader reporting from multiple sources on Germany's labor market tre

Why objectivity (75): The tone is informative but slightly emphasizes the significance of the milestone, which may lean toward highlighting the scale of immigration impact. The language is generally neutral but carries a subtle emphasis on the novelty of the figure.

n-tv logon-tvIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 709/1/2026
Decline in full-time employment: Never before have there been so many part-timers in Germany - n-tv.de

In Germany, the number of part-time workers has reached an all-time high, while the number of full-time employees has decreased. This shift reflects broader changes in the labor market, influenced by factors such as demographic trends, economic conditions, and evolving work preferences among employees. The increase in part-time employment could indicate a growing demand for flexible working arrangements or may be linked to structural changes in certain industries. Such developments may have implications for social policies, wage structures, and overall economic productivity.

Bias read (Center): The article presents statistical data on employment trends without overtly favoring any particular political perspective. It focuses on numerical changes in the workforce rather than attributing them to specific political actions or ideologies. There is no evident framing that leans toward either a左

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (70): The article presents information in a neutral tone, focusing on reporting the trend rather than taking sides. It uses descriptive language but avoids emotionally charged terms. There is no clear editorializing or bias evident in the framing of the story.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories