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Teilzeit und Krankenstand – Potenzial für mehr Arbeitsstunden?

Author

Listed:
  • Wanger Susanne
  • Weber Enzo

Abstract

Demographic change will significantly reduce the labour force potential in the coming years, whilst the average annual working hours per employee have been on a downward trend for decades. The proportion of part-time workers now stands at around 40%, and absenteeism due to illness has recently remained at a high level, at just under 15 working days per year. Against this backdrop, compensating for this through additional working hours is becoming increasingly important. Both trends – more part-time work and higher absenteeism – are sometimes interpreted as a sign of declining willingness to work. In the public debate, some conclude that the overall labour supply can be substantially expanded in the short term through more restrictive regulations or increased pressure. However, a nuanced analysis shows that additional working hours can certainly be mobilised – though less through blanket restrictions than through improved incentive structures and appropriate institutional frameworks.

Suggested Citation

  • Wanger Susanne & Weber Enzo, 2026. "Teilzeit und Krankenstand – Potenzial für mehr Arbeitsstunden?," Wirtschaftsdienst, Sciendo, vol. 106(4), pages 237-243.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:wirtsc:v:106:y:2026:i:4:p:237-243:n:1007
    DOI: 10.2478/wd-2026-0062
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hellwagner, Timon & Söhnlein, Doris & Wanger, Susanne & Weber, Enzo, 2022. "Wie sich eine demografisch bedingte Schrumpfung des Arbeitsmarkts noch abwenden lässt," IAB-Forum, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 2022(11|Nov), pages 1-21.01.
    2. Weber, Enzo, 2026. "Eine Rentenreform fürs Weiterarbeiten," IAB-Forum, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 2026(03|Mar), pages 1-20.01.
    3. Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2025. "Karenztage und Absenkung der Lohnersatzrate: Eine ökonomische Einordnung," ZEW policy briefs 14/2025, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    4. Wanger, Susanne, 2025. "Die Arbeitszeitunterschiede zwischen Frauen und Männern verringern sich nur langsam (Serie "Equal Pay Day 2025")," IAB-Forum, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 2025(03|Mar), pages 1-18.01.
    5. Wrohlich Katharina, 2023. "Reformen bei Elterngeld und Ehegattensplitting könnten gleichstellungspolitische Impulse setzen," Wirtschaftsdienst, Sciendo, vol. 103(9), pages 600-602, September.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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