Germany's Collective Bargaining Coverage Stalls at 49%, Highlighting Stark Inequalities

The decline from 85% in the 1990s reflects regional and sectoral disparities, with calls for legislative action to address worsening labor conditions.

Collective bargaining coverage in Germany has significantly dropped from 85% in the mid-1990s to 49% in 2024, where it has remained stable.
Public sector workers enjoy 100% coverage, while sectors like agriculture and hospitality lag far behind, with only 11% and 23% coverage respectively.
Regional disparities are evident, with Bremen leading at 56% coverage and Saxony falling behind at 42%, the lowest among German states.
Employees in non-unionized sectors earn approximately 10% less and work 53 minutes longer per week compared to those with collective agreements.
Unions and labor experts are urging the government to introduce legislative measures to boost collective bargaining coverage and improve labor conditions.