Business · Economy · 13 hrs ago
About 12% of German workers see their jobs as pointless
A survey found that nearly 12% of workers in Germany see their work as pointless.
That is about 5.5 million people, based on the country’s roughly 46 million employed people.
Workers in sales, restaurants and service jobs were most likely to feel this way, while people in education and social work were least likely.
The survey counted workers who questioned their job’s purpose and saw some of it as unnecessary, but did not also describe their working conditions as difficult or unfair.
Almost half of those who saw their work as pointless wanted shorter hours, which could make political calls for people to work more difficult to meet.
The findings come from 2,500 workers surveyed in June 2026, and do not show a trend over time.
The analysis suggests better work organisation could improve productivity and reduce the sense that work is pointless.
About 12% of surveyed workers in Germany see their work as pointless and at least partly unnecessary.
That amounts to about 5.5 million people when projected across Germany’s roughly 46 million employed people.
The survey found the perception was most common among workers in sales, gastronomy and service, and least common in educational and social professions.
Nearly half of workers who saw their jobs as pointless wanted to work fewer hours.
The article says dissatisfaction with pointless work may reduce workers’ incentive to take on more work.
- Who
- About 12% of surveyed workers in Germany said they see their work as pointless and at least partly unnecessary.
- What
- A survey examined how common this perception is and how it relates to working hours.
- When
- Ipsos surveyed workers from June 1 to 15, 2026; the article was published November 14, 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- The survey measured workers’ views of whether their work makes a meaningful contribution and is sometimes unnecessary.
Workers who see their jobs as pointless
Political calls for more work
Working hours
Workers who see their jobs as pointless
Nearly half of people who see their work as pointless want to work fewer hours.
Political calls for more work
The article says political demands for more work conflict with this desire.
Ipsos surveyed 2,500 employed people in Germany for the SKL Glücksatlas.
WirtschaftsWoche published its report on the survey findings.
- Survey sample
- 2,500 employed people in Germany
- Survey dates
- June 1–15, 2026
- Share who saw work as pointless
- Nearly 12%
- Estimated number of workers
- 5.5 million out of about 46 million employed people
- Most affected occupations
- Sales, gastronomy and service
- Least affected occupations
- Educational and social professions
What people are saying
My work makes a meaningful contribution to others
I often feel that my work is unnecessary
My work is often shaped by conditions that I perceive as stressful or unfair