
Labour market: earnings gap between Germans and foreigners remains large
More than 30 percent of foreign full-time employees work for low wages
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3 agency rewrites / co-publications detected
Summary
More than 30 percent of foreign full-time employees work for low wages. For German citizens, the proportion is significantly lower. Why the differences in earnings are so great.
Furthermore, The gap is roughly at the level of previous years since 2020 (23.1 - 25.5 percent). The earning gap between German and foreign full-time employees was 23.6% in Germany at the end of 2025. For academics, a value of 6,146 euros was reported.
In addition, According to a separate study by the Institute for Labour Market and Vocational Research, wage differences between immigrants and locals can be attributed in large part to “the fact that immigrants are less often employed in high-paying industries or positions”. Compared to a simple average, the calculation of the median has the advantage that, for example, extremely high peak earnings cannot distort the value upwards.
Cross-referenced from 4 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
More than 30 percent of foreign full-time employees work for low wages.
reliability low1/4 sourcesFor German citizens, the proportion is significantly lower.
reliability low1/3 sourcesWhy the differences in earnings are so great
reliability low1/3 sourcesThe gap is roughly at the level of previous years since 2020 (23.1 - 25.5 percent).
reliability low1/2 sourcesThe earning gap between German and foreign full-time employees was 23.6% in Germany at the end of 2025.
reliability low1/2 sourcesFor academics, a value of 6,146 euros was reported.
reliability low1/2 sourcesAccording to a separate study by the Institute for Labour Market and Vocational Research, wage differences between immigrants and locals can be attributed in large part to “the fact that immigrants are less often employed in high-paying industries or positions”.
reliability low1/2 sourcesCompared to a simple average, the calculation of the median has the advantage that, for example, extremely high peak earnings cannot distort the value upwards.
reliability low1/2 sources
Disputedincompatible versions — to verify
No factual contradiction detected between sources.
Framing by sidesame fact, different words — loaded terms highlighted
No notable framing divergence.
Blind spotwhat one side keeps silent
No blind spot detected: every side covers the same facts.
Sources3 sources cross-checked
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