Proportion of Older Workers in Germany’s Labor Market Hits Record High
According to 2024 data from the Federal Employment Agency, Germany now employs 7.8 million people between the ages of 55 and 65, representing 23 percent of the total workforce.
Germany’s labor market is seeing unprecedented numbers of older workers, with 7.8 million people aged 55 to 65 currently employed, according to the latest figures released by the Federal Employment Agency (BA). This group now makes up 23 percent of the country’s total workforce—the highest share ever recorded. Experts attribute this rise to the aging Baby Boomer generation, which has now entered this age bracket.
Over the past decade, the proportion of older employees in the workforce has risen steadily, from 17 percent in 2014 to 23 percent today, and this trend is expected to continue through 2025. In February 2025, the number of older workers increased by 66,000 compared to the same month the previous year. The growth is especially notable in the services sector, while manufacturing has seen a slight decline. Public administration is employing older workers at particularly high rates, with 29 percent of its staff in this age group, and in healthcare, one in five employees is expected to retire in the next decade due to age.
The Federal Employment Agency emphasized the profound and lasting effects demographic shifts are having on Germany’s labor market, stressing that the country’s aging population is reducing the number of people in working age. Board Member Daniel Terzenbach noted that companies seeking to remain competitive are increasingly relying on the expertise and reliability of experienced older workers. However, he also highlighted the need for fair opportunities and tailored support, particularly during periods when older employees return to work after a break.
