Employment increase across the board

In the first quarter of 2007, the employed labour force grew by 2.5 percent relative to the same quarter last year. The number of employees as well as the number of self-employed increased. The same applies to full-time and part-time workers. The number of flexible workers also increased due to extra jobs in the summer season.

More than seven million persons employed

In the first quarter of 2007, the employed labour force comprised over 7.1 million persons in the 15-64 age bracket, of whom 5.7 million held permanent jobs and more than 530 thousand were working flexible hours. The remaining 900 thousand were self-employed or family workers.

Employed labour force by labour position

Notable increase in self-employed

The number of persons employed in the first quarter of 2007 was nearly 2 percent up on the first quarter of 2006. The number of self-employed rose dramatically by 9 percent. The upward trend for flex workers and self-employed began as early as 2003. For persons holding permanent jobs, the upward trend began in 2006.

More full-time workers

In the first quarter of 2007, nearly 4.5 million persons worked on a full-time basis (35 hours a week or more), an increase by 2.8 percent relative to the first quarter of 2006. The number of part-time workers grew by 2.2 percent to nearly 2.7 million over the same period. In the period 2003-2005, the number of full-timers still declined but since 2006 a distinct upward trend can be observed.

Employed labour force by working hours

More flexible workers in summer

Seasonal summer jobs call for more flex workers in comparison to the other quarters. In the third quarter of 2006, for instance, the number of flex workers increased temporarily by some 50 thousand.

Lian Kösters