Trade union density rate in Germany
Germany: Trade union density rate was 16.25 in 2019. ▼ Falling
Trade union density rate in Germany, 2000–2019
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Germany recorded 16.25 for trade union density rate in 2019. That is the lowest value across all 20 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.7% on the previous year and down 13.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, trade union density rate in Germany peaked at 24.49 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 16.25, in 2019.
That places Germany 48th out of 86 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 20 years of available data.
Trade union density rate in Germany, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 24.49 | — |
| 2001 | 23.63 | -3.5% |
| 2002 | 23.32 | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 22.8 | -2.2% |
| 2004 | 22.24 | -2.4% |
| 2005 | 21.52 | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 20.57 | -4.4% |
| 2007 | 19.75 | -4.0% |
| 2008 | 19.02 | -3.7% |
| 2009 | 18.82 | -1.1% |
| 2010 | 18.84 | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 18.39 | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 18.24 | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 17.94 | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 17.69 | -1.4% |
| 2015 | 17.53 | -0.9% |
| 2016 | 16.96 | -3.3% |
| 2017 | 16.68 | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 16.54 | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 16.25 | -1.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 21.62 | 18.82 | 24.49 | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.51 | 16.25 | 18.84 | 10 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More work & labour data for Germany
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0549 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0322 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.95 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.0388 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 66,826 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 12,413 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 35,391 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 35,508 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 70,900 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is trade union density rate in Germany?
- Trade union density rate in Germany was 16.25 in 2019, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest trade union density rate recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 24.49 in 2000.
- What is the lowest trade union density rate recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.25 in 2019.
- How does Germany rank for trade union density rate?
- Germany ranks 48th out of 86 countries with data for 2019.
- Is trade union density rate rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Trade union density rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 20 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
A trade union is defined as a workers' organization constituted for the purpose of furthering and defending the interests of workers. This trade union density rate conveys the number of union members who are employees as a percentage of the total number of employees. For the purpose of this indicator in particular, trade union membership excludes union members who are not in paid employment (self-employed, unemployed, retired, etc.), unless otherwise stated in the notes. The statistics presented in this table result from an ILO data compilation effort (including an annual questionnaire and numerous special enquiries), with contributions from J. Visser. For more information, refer to the Industrial Relations data (IRdata) database description.