Faktencheck: „Faule Jugend“? Daten widersprechen dem Vorwurf

The claim that today's youth is unwilling to work is a common one in debates about Generation Z. Some argue that four-day weeks, work-life balance or sabbaticals are evidence that young people are less committed to work than previous generations. However, are these perceptions truly reflective of reality? On the International Youth Day (August 12), let's take a look at the data.

According to Enzo Weber, an employment market researcher at the Institute for Employment and Career Research (IAB), "Indeed, there is the myth of unemployment among Generation Z. All hard indicators we have do not support this." His findings are based on several developments: the labor participation of young people has been as high as it has been for decades, their working hours are similar to those of older workers, and they change jobs less frequently than previous generations.

Weber notes, "The image of young people either taking a sabbatical or working a three-day week is not an accurate description of Generation Z."

The reason this perception persists, despite the data, may lie in the shift in expectations for good work rather than a decrease in willingness to work. Weber attributes this to experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, increased dual employment, and a desire for greater self-determination. These developments have increased the demand for flexibility, but that doesn't mean young people fundamentally want to work less.

The "Youth in Germany 2026" study, which surveyed over 2,000 individuals aged 14 to 29, also supports this conclusion. Despite challenging circumstances, the study found a high level of willingness to work among the younger generation. Most are willing to work and take on responsibility. However, there are growing doubts about whether work still pays in Germany.

Researcher Klaus Hurrelmann, a consultant for the study, believes that the goal should be to give the younger generation more trust and responsibility. This trend is not unique to Generation Z. Older generations have also been accused of lacking work ethic. However, this is less about a prejudice and more about the changing nature of the labor market: remote work, flexible schedules, and labor shortages have altered the expectations for good work.

The 19th Shell Youth Study of 2024 also concludes that work remains important for young people, but their ideas of what constitutes a good job have changed. Flexibility, a good working atmosphere, and the balance between work and personal life are now more important than for previous generations.

However, the burden of work is often misplaced. Many 15- to 24-year-olds are still in school, apprenticeships, or studying. Their lower labor participation does not necessarily indicate a lack of willingness to work. The data presents a more nuanced picture than the common stereotype: there is no indication that young people are withdrawing from the labor market or fundamentally unwilling to work. It's their expectations for working conditions, not their fundamental willingness to work, that have changed.