The world economy is changing rapidly, and some countries that have dominated the international stage for many years begin to languish. A good example of this is Germany, whose economy was stagnant over the years, from GDP per capita, which even returns (every year “lives” the Germans) and wages, which begins to remain insufficient for the growing part of the population. There is a crisis of Germany Model crisis that makes the country rethink or dieNo one doubts the ability of German society to move forward (they begin with a good place, they are very rich and still competitive nations), but During this transition process, there will be losersThe field of the recent cracks in the labor market are proof of this, and more and more are those that need any help in order to reach the end of the month.
Very current statistics show this turn in which the great locomotive of Europe has been for years: in 2024some 826,000 employees depended on the benefit of a citizen This helps supplement the income of salaries when they are not enough. This is known as BurgheldThe field of this fact is an increase from 2023 by 30,000 people … and what is more alarming: this For the first time, the number of employees who need such assistance since 2015The year when the legal minimum wage was introduced in Germany, initially 8.50 euros per hour. From this moment on, the number of perceptions of additional benefits went down continuously, moving from a high 1.2 million to about 796,000 in 2023. Now statistics by 2024 for the first time indicate growth. More than an indicator, this “figure of shame” was known thanks to the parliamentary issue of the opposition.
He BurgheldWhat can be translated as “civilian money” to Spanish, equivalent to the minimum vital income of the Spanish language (IMV), which was introduced in Germany on January 1, 2023 as a replacement for a replacement for a replacement for Arbeitslosengeld IIThis figure was created in 2005 Conceived as unemployment benefits for long -term unemployed in the framework of deep reforms of the labor market, approved by Social Democrat Gerhard Schroeder (The so -called Hartz plans, so this benefit was called Hartz IV). Now Burgheld The SPD implemented during the trilateral government with green and liberals who have already fallen, persons in the legal age of the work, the income of which does not exceed the amount that is considered the minimum to satisfy their basic needs. The advantage is covered by feeding, clothing, housing expenses (including rent and heating), medical insurance and reduction in transportation costs.
This new rebound in perceptions with employment is a clear symptom Something is stuck in a traditional European motorThe field of the decade (for five years) caught Germany with an altered leg. Although a lot of negative dynamics took place earlier, Pandemia left Germany “frozen”, as the GDP shows, which has since barely moved in the lateral direction, as stated in the stock market. The factors have been described: decades of the export model of high added value have lost China who went from an exceptional client from Berlin to a cruel competitor. Reality in which the threat of some USA (important buyer) is less friendly. Another whip came from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which left Germany without one of its greatest treasures: a huge number gas This arrived at a fixed rate in its intensive energy industry.
This amount of factors combined with internal problems (many bureaucracyIN Conformism of great partiesIN Lack of investment in infrastructureIN Excessive savings At some points, Demographic winter) And Shocks Kayanthur (Las Aggressive types of types Interesting, they suffered after Abrasive inflation This destroyed the tedon pocket) caused an “existential crisis” in the industry, especially in a car, the flagship of the country and a “spoiled girl” of German society, which spread like a spot on all sections of the economy. Constant news about dismissal in hundreds and companies TOE The German established citizens on dismissal. Consumption does not resurrect, and the Germans, more and more troubles to move forward, distribute what they can save. The most human reaction to uncertainty.
He The labor market worsens This is one of the wonderful photographs of this pessimist album. In June unemployment In Germany, it increased by 11,000, raising the figure to 2.97 millionThe field is the highest figure in ten years. Only two years ago it was 500,000 people less unemployed. “The labor market continues to demonstrate signs of economic weakness. Unemployment continues to develop unfavorable. Companies still do not want to hire“Notes the director of the employment department of Andrea Nahls.” Most of the recent employment growth occurred in Partial jobs and with low wages“ING analysts crash into the client’s note.
The truth is that partial employment and watches of watches reflect this predominant weakness. In Germany, 2024 marked Remarkable decrease in common working time Compared to the previous year. According to the Institute for Studies of Employment (IAB or Institute for Employment Research), based in Nuremberg, the total work of all employees was reduced by 0.1%, until 61,370 million hours were reached. It raised it Deep public debateWith the new chancellor, a conservative Frederick Merz, regrets that the Germans work little, ”and the employer claims measures, such as the cessation of some holidays.
Despite the decrease in the working hours, the number of students in which a slight increase worked, however, IAB economists explain that this growth is mainly explained by an increase in employment partially, which increased by 1.2%. On the contrary, the number of full -time workers decreased by 0.2%, which increased the total amount by 25.58 million. The share of employees partially, at present, is currently 39.5%(according to IAB measurements, Eurostat places it by 29%), which reflects an increase by 0.3 percentage points compared to 2023. A significant trend was reduced by the number of autonomous workers, which was reduced by 1.9%, until 3.77 million reached. In the background, the echo of those Mini -Yunoshi (Work less than hours), which such good propaganda had during It was Merkel (He suggested full work) and now allows the Germans to cover a month.
On average, each employee worked 1332 hours last year, which is 3.5 hours less than in 2023. In addition, the number of additional hours has decreased, which also directly affects the wages, as well as employees who depend on this additional time to obtain sufficient remuneration to achieve the end of the month. Nuremberg -based organization experts believe that this general reduction in the day reflects changes in the German labor market. Since companies adapt to the development of economic conditions and preferences of employees, It is possible that the tendency to partial work continues to grow With subsequent impact on wages.
Within the framework of people who need additional income to “survive”, “we must admit that most of these people do not work full time. Most of them are in training or working time -time, ”says Holger Shefer, senior economist in the economic labor market of the German Economic Institute of Colony (IW). “The minimum wage will not help in these casesSince the reason why people cannot earn a living with their income is not a low salary per hour, but in a lack of working hours, ”he points out in the report published by DW. The numbers confirm this: out of 826,000 workers who receive benefits, only about 81,000 work full time.
The mystery of the labor market and the hours worked out by the surgical document published this month of the IMF: “Also A high degree of employment stability slows down to GermanyIt is amplified by measures such as a reduction in daytime work. Although this may seem positive for the active population, it actually slowed down structural changes and redistribution in more productive sectors, since companies and employees have less pressure in order to adapt to a changing economy. “
A pressure It cannot be more for incoming governmentThe alliance of the alliance between two system parties (conservative and social democrats) inserted some optimism with the help of his messianic financial incentive and at the same time claims to reduce taxes and increase the minimum wage to 15 euros per hour. However, they exist doubts that two traditional parties in power have The necessary reformist impulse I saw what happened in recent decades. Inside the door, both partner will have to deal with internal resistance: if there are voices from CDU/CSU that advocate politics with less benefits and subsidies, since they condemn, they impede the work in SPD measures, such as Burgheld Or an increase in the minimum wage.
