Rise in Employed School-aged Children Observed in Germany Since 2020
In recent news, the employment of students aged 15-18 in Germany has been a topic of discussion, with the Left Party's Chairman, Van Aken, advocating for more financial support for this demographic. The increase in student employment, reported by the "Tagesspiegel" (Wednesday edition), has sparked a debate about the minimum wage for under-18s.
According to the Federal Ministry of Labour's response to the Left Party's written inquiry, in 2024, 351,000 students aged 15-18 were employed. However, it's important to note that the national minimum wage, currently set at €12.82 per hour (effective January 2025), applies generally regardless of age for most eligible workers. This wage is scheduled to rise further to €14.60 by 2027 [1][5].
For students under 18, the common practice is that younger workers, including apprentices and certain interns, may be paid differently depending on sector-specific collective agreements or training contracts. Yet, there is no separate nationwide minimum wage specifically for under-18 students [2][4].
Arguments for a special minimum wage for under-18 students include protecting young workers from exploitation and encouraging youth employment. On the other hand, arguments against this include the simplification of the labor market and the potential for reduced incentives for employers to hire young workers if they had to pay higher minimum wages. The pre-existing protections for young workers through apprenticeships, training programs, and working time regulations may already address many concerns without separate wage rules [1][2][4].
Van Aken finds it scandalous that the statutory minimum wage does not apply to people under 18 without vocational training. He argues that the government should not allow companies to secure cheap labor with children, as many students work out of necessity due to poverty and financial worries [3].
Bundestag member Nora Seitz (CDU) rejects the demand for a minimum wage for students, suggesting that an expansion of the minimum wage could lead to a location risk for teaching and vocational training. She also argues that a minimum wage for students could result in certain income limits being exceeded and increased administrative burden, and that additional bureaucracy could deter students from their first jobs [6].
The debate continues, with both sides presenting valid points. As the number of employed students aged 15-18 continues to increase [7], it remains to be seen whether a separate minimum wage for under-18 students will be proposed and, if so, what impact it may have on the German labor market.
[1] Minimum Wage in Germany [2] Mini-Jobs in Germany [3] Van Aken calls for more money for working young people [4] Training and Apprenticeships in Germany [5] Statutory Minimum Wage in Germany to Increase in 2025 [6] Seitz argues against minimum wage for students [7] Number of employed students aged 15-18 continues to increase
Finance plays a crucial role in the debate over the minimum wage for under-18 students in Germany, as Van Aken argues that more financial support is necessary due to the poverty and financial worries many young workers face. On the other hand, Bundestag member Nora Seitz is concerned about the potential for increased administrative burden and location risk for teaching and vocational training if a minimum wage for students is implemented. In the realm of lifestyle and education-and-self-development, this issue highlights the importance of fair labor practices for young people and the potential effects of employment policies on their futures.
