Diversity in the workplace in Germany - statistics & facts

The workplace in Germany and around the world has seen a period of rapid evolution over the past 50 years. Whilst the workplace used to be mostly made up of German men, today women, people of different ethnicities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds are all a prominent part of the labor force, as society strives to be more equal. Having employees with a range of different backgrounds can improve the public image of a company, but also has other benefits such as creative problem solving, creating an inclusive culture that offers growth opportunities for everyone, and better decision making.

Women in the workplace

Germany ranks 11th on the EU Gender Equality Index, closing an estimated 68.7 percent of its gender gap. This index measures the national gender in a variety of criteria such as economy, politics, education, and health. When it comes to the workplace and careers, around 73 percent of women are currently employed either full-time or part-time in Germany, an increase of around 16 percent from 1991. This is also the highest figure since 1991, which highlights the progress made regarding women in the workforce. This does not mean, however, that equality and diversity have been achieved in this area of society. Only 17.5 percent of executive positions in the top 100 companies in Germany are taken by women, demonstrating that hierarchically men still dominate at the top.

Impact of digitalization on diversity

People with disabilities are often not represented proportionally in the workplace. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as the building not being suitable for people with physical disabilities, or the working environment e.g., strict work hours or policies about taking breaks, is not conducive to their productivity. However, the pandemic has had a strong impact on digitalization, and it has become more common for people to work from home for several days a week or even permanently. This opens the question of whether or not digitalization is making the workplace more accessible for those with disabilities. Key changes at work pre- and post-pandemic, noticed by both employees and companies, included more flexible spaces at places of work, acceleration of work processes, and the increasing use of technology and resources. These developments should mean that it is easier for accommodations to be made for people with different needs. According to a survey, around 40 percent of disabled employees and 75 percent of companies said that professional opportunities for people with disabilities have neither worsened nor improved. Historically this is a demographic that has been underrepresented in the workforce, therefore, it is perhaps time that employers ensure that the working conditions they provide allow everyone to have an equal opportunity to advance their career if they wish to do so.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Dec 21, 2023

Key insights

Top 3 German companies with the highest diversity
Infineon, Hugo Boss and Rheinmetall
Share of employees with access to a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program at work in Germany
33%
Share of employers not hiring more people with disabilities despite digitalization
97%
Get more insights

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Share of women and men in different professions in Germany as of June 30, 2023

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Share of women and men in different professions in Germany 2023

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