All persons aged at least 15 who have their residence in the Federal Republic of Germany (national concept) and who exercise or seek an activity directly or indirectly geared towards earning money (dependent employees, self-employed, family workers), irrespective of the importance of the income from this occupation for their livelihood and not considering the working time actually performed or to be contractually performed (concept of gainful employment). The labour force is comprised of employed and unemployed persons.
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28. October 2025 | Interviews
A Basic Income: simple idea, complex reality
Basic income is a simple idea on paper with regular, unconditional cash for everyone, but implementing it is anything but simple. In this interview, Professor David Green discusses findings from a ...read more
29. August 2025 | Social Inequality, Joblessness and Social Inclusion
Gender convergence in all areas: Is it a myth?
While men and women are increasingly found in the same occupations, a surprising trend has emerged: Sectors are becoming more gender-segregated over time. Are these patterns shaped by discriminatory ...read more
31. July 2025 | Labour Market Policy
Drivers of employment growth: An overview of the integration of migrants into the German labour market
In the public debate in Germany, it is often assumed that it is financially more attractive for migrants and refugees to remain on mean-tested benefits for unemployed people than to work. On the ...read more