The vast majority of people in Germany live from their own work, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office. However, the proportion of men is significantly higher than that of women. Only a very small part lives off of their own assets.
In 2023, a good three quarters of people in the prime working age of 25 to 64 in Germany financed their living primarily through their own work. This applied to 34.5 million people (76 percent), as the Federal Statistical Office announced based on its annual microcensus. According to this, 83 percent of men in this age group lived primarily from their own employment, but only 69 percent of women did.
Six percent live on unemployment or citizen’s benefit
For eight percent in the 25 to 64 age group, support from relatives was the main source of income. Women (13 percent) were significantly more likely to need such support than men (two percent).
Across genders, six percent financed themselves primarily through unemployment or citizens’ benefits. Another five percent lived on pensions or pensions, four percent on parental allowance or other benefits such as social assistance or sick pay. One percent of people between the ages of 25 and 64 earned their main income from their own assets, investment income or rental income.
Differences in people with Migration history
There were differences not only between genders, but also between people with and without an immigration background. The gap was particularly clear among women: 74 percent of women in the age group without an immigrant background were able to live from their own work, but only 55 percent of women with an immigrant background.
For men, the difference was significantly smaller at 85 percent to 78 percent for women. Overall, around two thirds of those who have immigrated to Germany since 1950 have made their living primarily through their own employment; for people without a history of immigration, the figure was 80 percent.
Gender differences also in offspring
Among the descendants of those who immigrated to Germany since 1950, significantly more people were able to live primarily from their own work, but the difference between the genders was still similarly significant (84 percent to 67 percent).
The Federal Statistical Office cites differences in age and household structures, professional qualifications and opportunities for entry and advancement in the labor market as reasons for the deviations due to the migration background. The extent of the deviations also varied depending on the region of origin.