Over 6 million people in Germany work for low wages, especially in the hospitality industry, where 51% of employees are affected.

The low wage crisis in Germany is a persistent problem, with over 6 million employees living on reduced incomes, representing 16% of total jobs. The hospitality industry is the most affected, with 51% of employees earning low wages. Although the minimum wage has increased, and the share of low-wage jobs has decreased from 21% in 2014 to 16% in 2025, wage inequality remains an issue.

The low wage threshold has been set at 14.32 EUR per hour in 2025. Additionally, the wage gap between low-income and high-income earners has remained constant, with a difference of 2.95 times between the two categories. This situation raises questions about the stability of the labor market and its impact on employees' lives.