Arbeitszeit im Wandel – Wie sich Wohlstand trotz sinkenden Arbeitskräfteangebots sichern lässt

The population is ageing, which is why the labour supply is shrinking. How, then, can prosperity be safeguarded? One approach is to look at working hours. In Germany, the high proportion of part-time workers is coming under criticism. There are calls for an increase in working hours. The contributions to this discussion advocate a nuanced perspective: the high proportion of part-time workers is essentially the result of a recent rise in overall employment. And for many – particularly married women – an increase in working hours is financially unattractive. People’s preferences regarding working hours have also changed. Nevertheless, a higher volume of work is possible. This could be achieved through better incentives in the tax and benefits system, more flexible working models and improved childcare. Furthermore, technological developments, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, open up productivity potential for growth.