In 2024, nearly 4.0 million workers in Germany performed night shifts. That represents 9.3 percent of the 42.6 million employed individuals who worked at least occasionally between 23:00 and 06:00, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
The share of night‑working employees differs markedly by gender and age. Among men, 11.7 percent worked at night, almost twice the 6.5 percent of women. Night work is also more common among younger workers: 10.6 percent of those under 35 and 9.6 percent of those aged 35 to 54 engage in night duties, compared with 7.4 percent of those 55 and older.
Sectoral patterns are pronounced. The most widespread night work was in aviation, where 42.6 percent of employees were on night shifts. Guard and security services and detective agencies followed closely at 40.2 percent, while metal production and processing reached 31.1 percent. Other sectors with above‑average night‑work participation included warehousing and other transport services (18.6 percent), health care (17.6 percent), and hospitality (13.9 percent).
By contrast, the lowest levels of night work were seen in preliminary construction site activities, building installation, and general contracting at 1.8 percent. IT services and education and teaching sectors had slightly higher night‑shift rates of 3.6 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.