"Employment Insecurity" in Germany Reaches Levels Not Seen Since the Financial Crisis - 16% Feel Their Jobs Are Unstable, Yet Despair Doesn't Spread

"Are the Germans driven by anxiety, or are they simply bracing themselves quietly?" At the beginning of the year, news emerged that employment anxiety was gradually increasing.

16% say "jobs are unstable"—Caution reminiscent of the "financial crisis"

According to reports, in 2025, 16% of German citizens answered that their jobs were "very unstable/somewhat unstable." This is the highest level since 2009 (22%), when the impact of the global financial crisis was significant. From the previous year, it increased by 3 points, and compared to 2023, it increased by 5 points, showing a clear rise. The survey was conducted in November 2025 with over 1,000 participants, and the content was reported through German media and others. Ghana Business News

However, this is an important point. While employment anxiety is rising, **84% answered that "their job is secure,"** and **45% even said "very secure."** Henrik Ahlers from EY Germany also stated, "The sense of job security is gradually declining, but it is far from a general 'sense of doom,'" mentioning the possibility of trust returning if the economy recovers. Ghana Business News

In other words, the current situation is not "panic all at once." Rather, it is closer to the sentiment of **"anxiety has increased, but we are still enduring."**

Anxiety hits "young people" and "low-income groups"—The bias shown by the numbers

The breakdown of the survey results is more suggestive. Employment anxiety is not uniform and is stronger among the younger generation. .

• Over 55 years old: Anxiety is 10%

• Ages 36-45: 17%

• Under 35 years old: 21% (more than 1 in 5) Ghana Business News

And the difference in income is even greater.

• Annual income under 25,000 euros: Anxiety is 36%

• Annual income over 70,000 euros: 8% Ghana Business News

This structure indicates that economic downturns do not cause "the same pain for everyone." Those with less capacity to protect their livelihoods are more likely to have employment instability directly lead to anxiety about their lives.

"Job anxiety" expands in tandem with "household anxiety"

Alongside employment anxiety, household outlooks are also cooling. Only **17%** expect "more money to spend" in the new year, while 26% are concerned about deterioration. Ahlers states, "Many are skeptical about both their own household and the overall economy, refraining from major purchases." Ghana Business News

Here lies a "chain of psychology" regarding the economy.

Job insecurity → Reduced spending → Company sales do not grow → Investment and hiring become cautious → Job insecurity further strengthens.
Because it has not yet reached "despair," the focus is on whether this chain can be stopped before it thickens.

The background includes "economic stagnation" and the "realism of personnel adjustments"

Why is employment anxiety becoming prominent again now? The background includes the stagnation of the manufacturing industry and the "ways of being cut" by industry.

For example, indicators reflecting the business sentiment of the manufacturing industry report that German manufacturing weakened further towards the end of the year, with a decline in exports becoming a burden. Reuters

Furthermore, amid the prolonged economic crisis in Germany, many industry groups are anticipating job cuts in 2026, according to a survey. Reuters

And symbolically, the topic of personnel reductions, especially in the automotive sector, is often discussed. Regarding Bosch, while there is a framework for job security, it is reported that anxiety is spreading on the ground, with labor unions strongly opposing. DIE WELT

"There is anxiety. But it hasn't been decided that we will suddenly lose our jobs tomorrow."
This "suspended" state is psychologically the most exhausting.

"The job of politics is to send a signal of reassurance"—A call from social organizations

Reports indicate that the German Social Association points out that people's biggest concerns are "whether they can pay rent," "whether the refrigerator will be filled at the end of the month," "heating costs," and "jobs that allow them to live without poverty," while acknowledging the need for reforms in pensions, healthcare, and nursing care, they call for politics to provide "clear signals of reassurance and trust." Ghana Business News

The "signal" here is not just a cheer for the economy. It is a prospect where households can spend money with peace of mind, a system design that allows companies to invest, and vocational training that supports labor mobility—in short, a visualization that "does not leave anxiety unattended."

SNS reactions: Spreading more "realization" and "anger" than "pessimism"

This topic also spread on social media. However, the atmosphere is more of **"I see, it matches my experience"** rather than "despair all at once."

1) News dissemination type: "16% is high" "But most recognize safety"

On X (formerly Twitter), there were multiple posts sharing the survey results as they were ("Employment anxiety since 2009" etc.). X (formerly Twitter)

Many of these types of posts are closer to sharing "this is what the numbers show" rather than inciting emotions.

2) Directly linked to industrial anxiety: "In the end, if manufacturing doesn't hold, employment will also waver"

There are also many posts discussing in connection with job cuts (Stellenabbau) in the automotive and supplier sectors. When Bosch-related reductions are reported, some accounts spread it with a sense of crisis, often treated as "evidence" of employment anxiety. X (formerly Twitter)

3) Participant type (bulletin board type): "Young people bear the brunt" "Hiring has stopped"

On Reddit, in a thread about Bosch's large-scale reductions, comments such as **"under the name of 'social consideration,' young people are bearing the burden"** were seen. The anxiety of moving between fixed-term contracts and the experience of hiring freezes are discussed, with "the feel of living" taking precedence over numbers. Reddit

What will happen next?—The key is how to dilute the "bias of anxiety"

This survey does not conclude that Germany has entered a "complete employment collapse." The fact that 84% see their jobs as secure is significant. Ghana Business News

However, it is also true that anxiety is prominent among young people and low-income groups. Ghana Business News

In weak economic phases, pain is not distributed evenly.
Therefore, both policy and corporate responses need to "target and support the layers where anxiety is concentrated," rather than being reassured by looking at the "average." Employment anxiety, if left unchecked, will cool spending, slow down business activities, and worsen self-fulfillingly. Ghana Business News

Because this is not a "sudden drop" like during the financial crisis, but a "phase where anxiety seeps in gradually," the question is whether an "assurance blueprint" can be presented before it's too late. The German economy in 2026 hinges on this single point.