Work motivation in Germany has fallen sharply - YouGov survey shows growing dissatisfaction

In Germany, many people have apparently lost interest in their own work. This is shown by the figures from a YouGov survey for the new edition of the occupational study by the insurer HDI. According to this, 59 percent of those surveyed only or mainly work for money. That is 17 percentage points more than a year ago, and at the same time the value is almost twice as high as before the corona pandemic in 2019.

Those in the age group who are about to retire are particularly affected by a negative change in mood. According to the survey, almost two thirds of the 55 to 64 year old professionals surveyed agreed with the statement that they would stop working as quickly as possible if they were not dependent on the salary. A total of 3,844 employees were surveyed for the study from June 10th to July 3rd. According to the HDI, the results are representative of both the whole of Germany and the individual federal states.

IT developers at risk

A year ago it was only 42 percent from this age group, no other group recorded a higher increase. However, it is precisely in this age segment that people could look forward to a longer working life in the future. The federal government is planning to abolish the “pension at 63,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed the plans. In the age group up to 54, at least a majority of 54 percent said that they could not imagine life without work.

Another topic in the survey was artificial intelligence (AI), which caused mixed feelings among the working population. Around a quarter expect – or are already experiencing – positive effects in three areas: relief from routine work, better personal work results and higher productivity. On the other hand, 42 percent expect that the use of AI will result in job cuts. Nine percent have already had this experience in their own environment.

When asked how much AI threatens careers, there was not a great deal of consensus among those surveyed, but there was a clear direction: 41 percent agreed with the statement that the technology makes human developers in information technology superfluous. Financial and tax consultants (38 percent), advertising and marketing (36 percent) and administrative employees (35 percent) followed in the ranks of AI-threatened professions. Cooks are the least at risk. Only three percent believe that AI can replace men or women at the stove.