Approximately one out of every three residents in Brandenburg earns less than €2,750 monthly. - Minimum Wage for Over a Third of Residents in Brandenburg is Below EUR 2750
In the latest employment data from December 2023, it has been revealed that Brandenburg, East Germany, has a higher percentage of full-time workers earning less than €3,500 gross per month compared to both Berlin and the national average. Specifically, 321,600 workers in Brandenburg fall into this category, representing 59.4% of the workforce.
Across Germany as a whole, one in five (20.9%) full-time workers earn less than €2,750 per month, totaling 4.6 million people. This figure increases significantly when the threshold is raised to €3,500 per month, with more than twice as many people (9.3 million) falling into the low-wage category.
Comparing Brandenburg to other regions in East Germany, it has a higher percentage (33.7%) of low-wage workers compared to the national average (20.9%). This is followed by Saxony-Anhalt (33.8%), Thuringia (35.2%), and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (36.1%), with Saxony not far behind at 34.2%. Berlin, on the other hand, has 38% of its full-time workers earning less than €3,500 per month.
While these figures provide a snapshot of the current economic landscape, more detailed data is needed to fully understand the distribution of low-income full-time workers across different regions and industries within Brandenburg and Germany.
It is also important to consider broader economic indicators. Germany's unemployment rate has remained steady at 6.3%, but no specific data is available for Brandenburg or East Germany. A significant wage gap exists between migrants and native-born workers, with first-generation migrants earning 19.6% less than native-born workers. However, this data does not specifically address low-income full-time workers or regional variations.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Brandenburg has been stable at 2.2%, suggesting a relatively stable economic environment. Germany's demographics show a declining population in some regions, which could impact labor market dynamics and income distribution.
Dietmar Bartsch, from the Left Party, has stated that "Germany is not a high-wage country for almost ten million employees, but rather the opposite." This sentiment is echoed by the employment data, which underscores the need for more comprehensive analysis and targeted policies to address income inequality and improve the economic well-being of low-wage workers across Germany.
Given the emphasis on employment data, income distribution, and low-wage workers in Brandenburg, East Germany, it would be beneficial to incorporate specific policies such as community initiatives and vocational training programs to support the economic growth of the region. For instance, the community could adopt policies aiding in the acquisition of finance for small businesses or Investing in vocational training programs to enhance job capabilities and opportunities for local workers. Besides, increased transparency through general-news reporting and political discussions could further highlight the need for these programs and facilitate their implementation.
