Germany has a lower than average working life compared to other European Union (EU) countries, prompting economists to call for an increase in the retirement age and incentives for voluntary work after reaching retirement age. A recent study by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the Technical University of Braunschweig revealed that almost ten percent of workers in Germany have an addictive work behavior. Researchers at the Roman Herzog Institute (RHI) have now investigated the average working life in EU countries. The study, commissioned by the Association of Bavarian Business (vbw), used data from Eurostat and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), including non-EU countries such as the UK and Iceland. The study found that people in EU countries work an average of 57,342 hours in their lifetime, with Estonia having the highest working life of 71,331 hours. In contrast, Germany has a working life of only 52,662 hours, with only Luxembourg having a lower working life in the EU.
Although Germany has a higher number of years in employment compared to the EU average, with 39.3 years, the study found that the average annual working hours in Germany are relatively low at around 1,340 hours. The authors of the study suggest that the retirement age should be increased further, given the challenges posed by the shortage of skilled workers and the financial burden on the pension system. They also recommend that the German government create incentives for voluntary work after reaching retirement age. The study’s sponsors, including vbw President Randolf Rodenstock, point out that in several countries with high working lives, life satisfaction is also high. They argue that working longer and more does not necessarily lead to a worse work-life balance and lower life satisfaction.
In conclusion, the study highlights the need for Germany to increase its working life to address the challenges posed by the shortage of skilled workers and the financial burden on the pension system. The authors suggest that the retirement age should be increased further, and incentives for voluntary work after reaching retirement age should be created. The study’s sponsors argue that working longer and more does not necessarily lead to a worse work-life balance and lower life satisfaction.
