Are Germans Really Lazy? A Take on Working Hours and Productivity in the EU
Are Germans More Idle Than the Typical EU Resident? - Questioning Productivity Levels: Compared to Other EU Nations, Are Germans Less Industrious?
By Marlen Schönberg
Hearsay about Germans being too laid-back has resurfaced following a speech by Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the CDU Economic Forum. He claimed that adopting a four-day work week and focusing on work-life balance would lead to a decline in Germany's prosperity. This claim, while softened since, leaves us questioning - does Germany have a lazy working culture compared to the rest of the EU?
Recent research by the Institute of the German Economy (IW) offers an interesting perspective, based on OECD data. In most European countries, a greater number of hours are worked per working-age resident compared to Germany. However, it's important to note that the OECD acknowledges these figures can be incomparable as they are gathered differently.
The Productivity Paradox
However, working hours alone do not reveal the whole picture. Productivity matters equally, if not more. Productivity measures the value created per hour worked, essentially showing how efficiently people work. So, working hours should ideally be considered against economic performance per person. Thankfully, Germany punches above its weight in this EU comparison.
Data from 2023 (except for Belgium in 2022) and GDP figures from 2024.
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Longer Hours Don't Equal Higher Output for All
Despite Germans' relatively shorter working hours compared to many EU counterparts, they still manage to produce more value. This suggests that Germany’s productivity depends more on efficiency and economic factors rather than extended working hours.
Other EU nations with longer work hours don't necessarily have higher hourly productivity. Germany's productivity advantage can be attributed to advanced technology, skilled labor, and efficient work processes even with fewer hours worked.
So, Are Germans Really Lazy?
Verdict? Absolutely not! Although Germans work fewer hours on average compared to many other EU nations, their high productivity per hour worked more than compensates for it.
Short and Sweet Comparison:According to the Institute of the German Economy (IW) and OECD data, the average annual working hours for a German aged 15 to 64 were around 1,036 in 2023. This is less compared to several other nations, including Greece (1,172 hours), Poland (1,304 hours), and New Zealand (over 1,400 hours). However, with a high GDP output, Germany’s productivity per hour worked remains high in EU comparison.
Long and in the Tooth Breakdown:An analysis by IW suggests that despite shorter work hours in Germany compared to other EU nations, Germany’s productivity per hour is higher compared to countries with longer working hours but generally lower productivity per hour. This is mainly because Germany’s productivity benefits from advanced technology, skilled labor, and efficient work processes.
Germany's GDP performance is slightly above the European average in early 2025, with its labor market data indicating stable or slightly increased average hours worked per person compared to 2024. Despite the relatively fewer hours worked per person, Germany still enjoys a strong economic performance.
So, the next time you hear somebody claim that hard work never killed anyone, make sure to remind them that smart work might just be an even better bet!
The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission might want to consider the workplace-wellness practices in Germany, a country that has a lower average number of annual working hours compared to several other EU nations, but maintains a high productivity-per-hour due to its advanced technology, skilled labor, and efficient work processes. Despite the misconception that long hours equate to higher productivity, science suggests otherwise, highlighting the importance of health-and-wellness and lifestyle factors in workplace efficiency.
