The number of temporary workers in Germany saw a decline of 9.2% in 2019 when compared to the previous year, according to a study from the Federal Employment Agency.

The study is based on a moving annual average until June 2019. It showed 948,000 temporary workers were employed in Germany. When compared to the same period in the previous year, this number decreased by approximately 87,000 (-9.2%). The share of temporary workers in total employment was 2.5%.

The Federal Employment Agency said the decisive factors for the decline in temporary workers was the uncertain order situation of customer companies due to the current economic downturn as well as cross-sector personnel shortages due to demographic change. 

According to the Agency, the latest legal regulations of the Temporary Employment Act, also impacted the number of temporary workers in Germany.

The data also showed that men make up the majority of temporary workers with the annual average until June 2019 showing that 71% of the agency workers employed were men. Meanwhile, approximately half, or 49%, of temporary workers were under 35. The data also found that 35% of temporary workers held a foreign passport.