Germany’s labour market continues to show resilience, but the gains are unevenly distributed across the country. According to new data released by the Federal and State Statistical Offices, the number of people in employment rose slightly in 2024 — despite global and domestic economic challenges.
Overall, 45.99 million people were employed nationwide, a 0.1 % increase compared with the previous year. However, regional differences remain striking.
Hamburg surges ahead, Saarland and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern fall behind
No region saw stronger growth than Hamburg, where employment rose 0.8 % to 1.36 million people. In contrast, Saarland and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern both recorded declines of 0.9 %, falling to 521,800 and 752,200 employed persons respectively.
The data underline how Germany’s economic strength is shifting regionally. Northern and metropolitan regions continue to expand, while structurally weaker and demographically shrinking areas in the east and southwest are struggling.
Ten states recorded growth
Besides Hamburg, employment also rose in:
- Hesse (+0.5 %)
- Bavaria, Berlin, and Schleswig-Holstein (+0.3 % each)
- Bremen (+0.2 %)
- Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Brandenburg (+0.1 %)
Declines were seen in:
- Saarland and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (−0.9 %)
- Thuringia (−0.8 %)
- Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt (−0.3 % each)
- Rhineland-Palatinate (−0.1 %)
Experts attribute these developments not only to local job market conditions, but also to migration patterns, demographic trends, improved childcare infrastructure, and rising part-time employment.
Long-term view: 20 years of transformation
Looking back over two decades reveals even more dramatic shifts. Since 2004, Berlin has recorded an increase of more than 40 % in its number of employed residents — the strongest rise nationwide, reflecting both population growth and economic diversification.
Hamburg ranks second with a 30 % increase, followed by Bavaria (+23 %), which achieved the best performance among Germany’s larger states.
At the other end of the scale, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia saw slight declines over the same period — a trend linked to population loss and industrial change.
Regional divergence continues
Economists see the figures as further evidence of Germany’s two-speed economy. Urban hubs like Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich attract investment and labour, while rural and post-industrial regions continue to lag behind.
Demographic shifts — including an ageing population and migration to major cities — are expected to intensify these disparities in the coming decade unless targeted regional policies are implemented.
