Germany: a quarter of young people favour working for minimum wage over training

An article by Thomas Schnee

Publication

21 July 2025 à 14h22

Reading time

5 minutes

Publication: 21 July 2025 à 14h22

Reading time: 5 minutes

The Bertelsmann Foundation, one of Germany's leading think tanks, has published its annual study on prospects in the youth apprenticeship and training sector. The analysis reveals a worrying trend, whereby a growing number of young people would rather earn a living straight away in unskilled jobs than pursue training. In the federal states, the 'internship bonus' seems to be increasingly attractive to young people, drawing them into the world of work.

An article by Thomas Schnee

Publication

21 July 2025 à 14h22

Reading time

5 minutes

Publication: 21 July 2025 à 14h22

Reading time: 5 minutes

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The Bertelsmann Foundation’s ‘Training Prospects’ report for 2025 (Ausbildungsperspektiven) reveals that 26% of students (22% in 2024) prefer to start working straight after leaving school. This desire is particularly prevalent among young people leaving lower-level schools (Hauptschule). “They prefer to forego training in order to take up a job that does not require formal qualifications,” confirmed experts from the Bertelsmann Foundation on Wednesday 16 July in Gütersloh, during the presentat

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Article authors

Featured image of the article Thomas Schnee

Thomas Schnee Correspondent in Germany

As a Berlin correspondent for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business and labour market. My areas of interest include co-determination, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.