Dream job “public service”? Why young Germans want that

A safe job, less stress, public service: For many young people in Germany, this sounds more attractive than a career in the private sector. This is shown by the current HDI insurance study, for which the YouGov opinion research institute interviewed more than 3,700 working people in the summer.

According to the survey, 43 percent of the between 15 and 24 would prefer the public service if they had the choice.

As the greatest advantage, the young respondents cited the security of the workplace with 54 percent. This is followed by higher references in retirement, a better net content and “less stress”.

Not only the HDI study, but also other studies such as this year’s Shell Youth study: Security is the most important criterion for the overwhelming majority of the young people in choosing a job.

The fixed employment, structure and predictability are considered particularly desirable, especially in times of crisis. According to the Shell youth study, 91 percent of young people want a safe job.

What can be derived from this: Young Germans are deeply unsettled. That is understandable. Experience economic crises, such as corona pandemic, inflation, climate change and geopolitical conflicts for years.

These experiences ensure a growing need for stability and protection in life – even in working life. The uncertainty on the job market and concerns about loss of job make predictable, “crisis -proof” activities appear particularly attractive.

According to the survey, the part -time request is also more pronounced for younger employees under 40 at 57 percent than in the middle and older years from the age of 40 (49 percent).

According to the survey, more than a quarter of the younger ones also attaches importance to bosses who pay attention to the work-life balance of their subordinates – It was only 14 percent with the 40-year-olds.

But what strikes: For employees from the age of 25, the private sector is far more attractive. In the age group between 25 and 34 years, only a third would prefer the public service. In people aged 45 and over, however, the civil service is even more popular than the boys. Here 47 percent would decide and only 33 percent for the private sector.

A almost quarter of the respondents (24 percent) said that the work for the state or a public company today seems more attractive to them today than five years ago. But this is by no means only for simple employees, but also to their bosses: 32 percent of the managers surveyed said.