00 and 06:00 in 2024, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).. That represents 9.3 % of the 42.6 million workers surveyed.
The proportion of workers who work nights differs markedly by gender and age. Men account for 11.7 % of nighttime workers, almost twice the 6.5 % for women. Younger workers (up to 34 years) and middle‑aged workers (35-54 years) are more likely to work at night than those aged 55 and older, with 10.6 %, 9.6 % and 7.4 % respectively.
Industry plays a major role in determining nighttime employment. In aviation, 42.6 % of workers performed night shifts. Security and guard services, as well as detective agencies, followed with 40.2 %, and metal production and processing had 31.1 %. Other sectors with above‑average nighttime work include storage and other transport services (18.6 %), healthcare (17.6 %), and hospitality (13.9 %).
Conversely, the lowest share of nighttime workers was found in preparatory construction site work, building installation, and other construction services at 1.8 %. IT services and education and instruction came next, with 3.6 % and 3.8 % respectively.
