May 2, 2025
Working Hours in Germany: A Regional Perspective

Working hours in Germany vary significantly across regions. While most federal states exhibit similar averages, Nordfriesland stands out with notably longer working hours. This may be attributed to the tourism sector and the growing renewable energy industry, both known for demanding workloads and frequent overtime.
In contrast, Jena records the shortest working hours in the country. Despite its high patent activity and a large proportion of highly qualified employees, major employers like Zeiss have reduced weekly working hours, lowering the city's average. This trend is increasingly adopted by other companies to remain competitive in attracting skilled workers.