Got Your Back, Germany! Holidays or Bust? Here's What the Folks Think
- Penned by Lorenz Wolf-Doettinchem
- ⏰ 1-minute read
Gesturing Towards Time Off: Insights into Germans' Holiday Perspectives - Squash holiday plans
The Institute of the German Economy - a pals-with-employers outfit - has crunched the numbers and reckons nixing one holiday could jack Germany's GDP up by as much as 0.2%. That's a whopping 8.6 billion euros! Recently, economist Monika Schnitzer floated the idea of axing a holiday to spark economic growth. Just last year, Denmark wiped a public holiday off the calendars to bankroll beefed-up defense budgets.
Germans: Hands Off Our Holidays!
The Germans are diggin' in their heels when it comes to ridding themselves of a holiday for the sake of economic growth. stern's poll, commissioned by 'em, gotcha covered! Sixty-five percent are dead set against the move, while 32% are on board, with 3% staying mum.
As you might expect, feelings about holidays vary by age and job status. Working folk are strait-up against the idea (70%), while self-employed folks are a toss-up (51%). But here's the twist: retirees are halfway on board (52%). Among political supporters, CDU/CSU folk are the most likely to be on board (51%). The fiercest opposition comes from Left (84%) and AfD (79%) voters. Even Green (58%) and SPD (55%) supporters aren't too thrilled with the proposition.
Germany dishes out between ten and twelve public holidays, though Bavarian regions can dish out up to fourteen. Bavarian Minister-President and CSU leader Markus Söder's already made it clear - no changes!
Poll by market and opinion research institute Forsa for stern and RTL Germany, conducted March 20-21, 2023. Sample size: 1001 respondents. Error margin: +/- 3 percentage points. Therefore, the poll represents the public.
- Holidays
- Forsa Poll
- stern Poll Results
- Work-Life Balance: German folks hold work-life balance in high regard, and holidays play a significant role in their culture. Any move to reduce holiday time might meet resistance.
- Economic Growth: Germans may support economic growth initiatives, but the question of whether sacrificing holidays is the right approach could spark debate.
- Economic Discussions: Lately, economic discussions in Germany have revolved around substantial spending plans for infrastructure and defense.[1]
[1] Reflecting a focus on economic stability and growth through major projects, Germany has been discussing extensive spending plans for infrastructure and defense projects.
- The Forsa poll, conducted for stern and RTL Germany, reveals that a significant majority of Germans (65%) are opposed to abolishing a holiday to boost economic growth, while only 32% support the idea.
- Interestingly, retirees are relatively supportive of the idea (52%), but working individuals are strongly against it (70%). Among political supporters, CDU/CSU individuals are the most likely to be in favor (51%), while the fiercest opposition comes from Left (84%) and AfD (79%) voters.
- Despite the ongoing economic discussions in Germany, Bavarian Minister-President and CSU leader Markus Söder has rejected any changes to the number of public holidays in Bavaria, where regions can provide up to fourteen holidays, compared to the national average of ten to twelve public holidays.
