A third of Germans would trade a holiday for economic growth, survey shows
Majority Opt Against Sacrificing Vacation for Advancement
Going an extra mile in the name of the economy? Not quite, according to a recent survey. Only one-third of Germans are willing to forgo a holiday for the sake of bolstering the country's income.
The country is shoulders-deep in debt, with the government recently taking on billions to finance defense, infrastructure, and climate protection projects. A popular suggestion from economists is to axe a public holiday, but the idea is far from appreciated by the general populace.
As per a poll conducted by Insa for "Bild am Sonntag," 57% of Germans are dead set against the idea, with 34% in favor and 9% undecided. Economists believe that an extra workday per year could bump up the GDP by 0.2%, translating to a potential earnings boost of 5–8.6 billion euros, depending on calculations.
Politics corner: Bavaria's endless summer Söder shuts down holiday scrapping rumors
Economist Monika Schnitzer, in a recent interview with Der Spiegel, went as far as to declare scrapping a holiday as a suitable "symbol" for boosting labor supply. Clemens Fuest, president of the Munich Ifo Institute, pushed for the move to increase the workforce earlier this month.
However, the message isn't resonating with the public. In the survey, a majority of participants showed preferences for more holidays rather than a reduction. Close to half hoped for uniformity in public holidays across all states, with underprivileged states receiving more. One-quarter favored states with more holidays to trim down on them.
Bavaria, however, is unlikely to budge. Markus Söder, the head of the state with the most holidays, made it quite clear that "Bavaria will not scrap any holidays. Holidays are part of Bavaria's cultural identity."
What really matters: Work, leisure, and public sentiment
Economic growth isn't the only concern. Consumer spending, work-life balance, and public sentiment play crucial roles in the balance between the government's financial obligations and public welfare.
Scrapping holidays could result in increased productivity and GDP, but factors like the type of work (not all jobs are productivity-driven) and consumer spending habits need to be considered. The potential decrease in tourism and consumer spending due to reduced holidays could negatively impact GDP. Additionally, decreasing holidays might impact employee morale and productivity in the long run.
Public opposition to the holiday scrapping could also stem from concerns about work-life balance and overall quality of life. Economically minded individuals might support the move if they perceive it as a significant driver of economic growth, particularly during economic downturns.
Comparing this situation to other countries, China has been focused on stimulating consumption and improving economic competitiveness, suggesting that governments prioritize policies that support economic growth while considering public well-being. The UK's fiscal decisions highlight the political and economic challenges involved in balancing government finances with public opinion.
Source: ntv.de, ino/dpa
- Public opinion
- GDP
- Working hours
- Despite economists' suggestions to axe a public holiday as a potential shortcut to economic growth, the majority of Germans express opposition to the idea, preferring more holidays instead.
- The possibility of scrapping holidays in Bavaria, known for having the most holidays, has been dismissed by Markus Söder, the head of the state, who emphasized that holidays are integral to Bavaria's cultural identity.
- With Bavaria resisting holiday scrapping, the discussion over the country's community policy leans towards the importance of balancing economic growth with public sentiment regarding holidays, work-life balance, and overall quality of life.
