Germany Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Germany's industry employment was 25.97% in 2025, ranked 146th globally. This represents a 1.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Germany's industry employment stood at 25.97% in 2025, a decline of +0.32% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 25.57% by 2026. Germany ranked 146th globally.
Germany’s share of the labour force employed in industry has fallen sharply over the 35‑year span from 38.43 percent in 1991, the all‑time peak, to 25.97 percent in 2025, the all‑time trough and the most recent World Bank estimate, placing the country 146th globally. The decline reflects long‑standing structural shifts toward services, automation and higher productivity in manufacturing, as well as the impact of reunification and subsequent de‑industrialisation in former East German regions. By 2025 Germany’s industry employment rate is virtually identical to that of Malaysia, which records 25.96 percent, and only marginally above Estonia’s 26.00 percent and Lithuania’s 25.90 percent, underscoring the convergence of advanced and emerging economies on low industrial employment shares. The persistent downward trajectory suggests that further reductions are likely unless policies stimulate a resurgence in high‑value manufacturing or green‑technology sectors, which could modestly reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 24.91% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 25.24% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 25.57% | - | - |
| 2025 | 25.97% | −0.32% | #146 |
| 2024 | 26.29% | −0.11% | #149 |
| 2023 | 26.40% | −0.38% | #152 |
| 2022 | 26.77% | −0.61% | #154 |
| 2021 | 27.38% | +0.15% | #157 |
| 2020 | 27.23% | +0.08% | #158 |
| 2019 | 27.15% | −0.20% | #156 |
| 2018 | 27.35% | −0.06% | #161 |
| 2017 | 27.41% | +0.07% | #160 |
| 2016 | 27.34% | −0.29% | #161 |
| 2015 | 27.62% | −0.46% | #163 |
| 2014 | 28.09% | +0.36% | #164 |
| 2013 | 27.73% | −0.47% | #163 |
| 2012 | 28.20% | +0.53% | #164 |
| 2011 | 27.66% | −1.09% | #158 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Germany matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Germany's industry employment was 25.97% in 2025. Ranked 146th globally. This represents a 1.2% decrease from the previous year.
Germany's industry employment peaked at 38.43% in 1991.
The lowest industry employment in Germany was 25.97% in 2025.
Germany ranks 146th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Germany's industry employment is projected to reach 25.57% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Germany in 2025 was 25.97%. This ranks 146th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_germany_industry-employment,
title = {Germany Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/germany/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}