2,2 Millionen Menschen in Deutschland sind befristet beschäftigt
Rund 2,2 Millionen Menschen in Deutschland hatten im Jahr 2025 einen befristeten Arbeitsvertrag. Das entsprach 6,0 % aller Erwerbstätigen im Alter von 15 bis 64 Jahren, die nicht in Ausbildung, Studium oder Freiwilligendienst waren (Kernerwerbstätige). Wie das Statistische Bundesamt (Destatis) nach Erstergebnissen des Mikrozensus mitteilt, ist der Anteil in den vergangenen zehn Jahren leicht zurückgegangen: 2015 hatte er noch bei 7,0 % gelegen. Zwischen den Geschlechtern zeigen sich kaum Unterschiede: Bei den Frauen waren im vergangenen Jahr 6,2 % der Kernerwerbstätigen befristet beschäftigt, bei den Männern waren es 5,7 %.
Source: Federal Statistical Office Germany · August 13, 2026 at 7:45 AM · AI-assisted report
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 AUGUST 2026 —
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**Germany’s Temporary Employment Rate Falls to 6% in 2025**
Market Impact
KUALA LUMPUR – Approximately 2.2 million people in Germany held temporary employment contracts in 2025, accounting for 6.0% of core workers aged 15 to 64, excluding those in education, training, or voluntary service, according to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). This marks a slight decline from 7.0% in 2015. The rate was marginally higher for women (6.2%) compared to men (5.7%).
The share of temporary workers has gradually decreased over the past decade, reflecting broader trends in Germany’s labour market. In 2025, atypical employment—including temporary contracts, part-time roles of up to 20 hours, marginal employment, and agency work—affected 6.4 million workers, or 17.2% of core workers. This is down from 20.8% in 2015, with declines particularly notable in part-time employment (from 13.4% to 10.9%) and marginal employment (from 6.5% to 4.1%).
However, agency work saw a slight increase, rising from 1.8% to 2.0%.
Younger workers were significantly more likely to hold temporary contracts. In 2025, 18.3% of core workers aged 15 to 25 were in temporary employment, compared to 10.2% among those aged 25 to 35. The proportion declined further with age, dropping to 5.6% for workers aged 35 to 45, 3.8% for those aged 45 to 55, and 2.8% for those aged 55 to 64.
This trend likely reflects the transitional nature of early career stages, where temporary roles are often used to facilitate entry into the workforce.
Education level also played a role in temporary employment rates. In 2025, 11.6% of core workers without vocational qualifications held temporary contracts, compared to 6.4% among those with higher qualifications (e.g., master craftsmen or university degrees). The lowest rate was observed among workers with intermediate vocational qualifications, at 4.0%. Sectoral differences were also evident, with the highest temporary employment rates in education (11.2%), hospitality (8.8%), and arts, entertainment, and household services (8.2%).
In contrast, construction and finance/real estate sectors reported the lowest rates, each at 2.5%.
The reasons for temporary employment varied. Among workers aged 25 and older, 31.4% cited that the position was only advertised as temporary, while 16.9% were in training roles. Other common reasons included probationary contracts (12.9%), inability to secure permanent employment (8.2%), and personal preference (2.7%). Additionally, 28.0% cited other unspecified reasons. Most temporary contracts were short-term, with 52.4% lasting less than one year, likely due to probationary periods or parental leave cover.
Contracts of one to two years accounted for 21.3%, while 14.7% had contracts lasting two to three years. Only 11.6% had contracts exceeding three years.
The data is derived from the Mikrozensus, Germany’s annual household survey covering approximately 1% of the population, and the EU Labour Force Survey, which has a sample size of about 0.45% of the population in Germany. All figures are based on self-reported responses and are extrapolated to reflect national trends. Further details on atypical employment are available on Destatis’ thematic page.
**Market Impact for Malaysia** While Germany’s temporary employment trends may not directly mirror Malaysia’s labour market, the data highlights broader structural challenges in workforce flexibility and job security. For Malaysian policymakers and businesses, Germany’s experience with declining temporary employment rates—particularly among younger workers—could offer insights into balancing labour market adaptability with worker protections.
However, sector-specific differences, such as the high prevalence of temporary roles in education and hospitality, may not translate directly to Malaysia’s economic landscape.
**Outlook** Germany’s gradual reduction in temporary employment suggests a shift toward more stable labour market conditions, though challenges remain, particularly for younger and less-educated workers. The persistence of short-term contracts in certain sectors indicates ongoing structural adjustments. For Malaysia, monitoring such trends could inform policies aimed at enhancing job security while maintaining economic flexibility. Further data on Malaysia’s own temporary employment landscape would be required to draw direct comparisons.