Overview

• The July 2025 EY study surveyed 2,000 German employees and found 72% consider themselves motivated while 28% perform only the minimum required.
• Only 18% identify as highly motivated, down from 42% in 2019, marking a continued decline in workplace drive.
• Two-thirds of managers report high motivation compared with 24% in the public sector and 17% in private companies and associations.
• More than half of respondents cite a positive work climate and strong colleague relationships as their main motivators, outweighing salary or bonuses.
• EY warns that underused employee potential could cost companies billions in lost revenue and trigger long-term skilled-labor shortages.