Multiplying Incomes in Southwest: The Surge in Side Jobs, Especially for Women
Increasing number of individuals in the Southwest region taking on secondary employment. - Increasing number of individuals in the South West region opting for additional income sources.
In the bustling heart of the southwest, specifically in Baden-Württemberg, an intriguing trend is on the rise – an increasing number of people are juggling multiple jobs. Data from the Statistical Office in Fellbach reveals that between 2014 and 2024, side jobs jumped by a staggering 32.5 percent, now standing at nearly 593,000[1].
These additional gigs, often referred to as minijobs, are becoming more commonplace, with a total of around 4.93 million socially insured individuals in the region as of mid-2024[1]. Approximately 12.0 percent of these workers have at least one extra job, a percentage that has risen by 1.5 percentage points since 2014.
Why the surge in side jobs? The reasons for this uptick remain unclear, but for many, it's a means to make ends meet or afford an extra luxury[1]. While Baden-Württemberg leads the nation with this trend, other states like Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate aren't far behind[1]. At the opposite end of the spectrum, states like Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania report much lower percentages, indicating a more traditional employment structure[1].
And it's not just men venturing into these side jobs – women are more often taking on these additional roles. In fact, 13.9 percent of female employees in the state have an extra job, compared to only 10.5 percent of their male counterparts[1]. One possible reason for this trend could be that women, who work part-time more often than men, have more time for these additional jobs[1].
The most common industries for these side jobs include hospitality, retail, healthcare, and social services, as well as industry[1]. This trend may be influenced by economic pressures and job market contraction in traditional industries, regional cost of living and wage gaps, and sector-specific demand dynamics, among others[2].
The rise in side jobs, particularly among women in Baden-Württemberg's hospitality and other sectors, reflects a mix of economic precarity in traditional industries, service-sector growth, and gendered labor dynamics in a high-cost region facing industrial contraction[2]. As long as these forces continue to shape the job market, we can expect to see more and more people in the southwest pursuing multiple jobs to make ends meet and secure a brighter future.
[1] Fellbach Statistical Office[2] Enrichment data: Economic Pressures and Job Market Contraction, Regional Cost of Living and Wage Gaps, Sector-Specific Demand Dynamics, Structural Labor Market Shifts, Gender-Specific Factors
- The employment policy in Baden-Württemberg, particularly the regulations surrounding minijobs, is of significant interest due to the rise in side jobs, a trend that increased by 32.5% between 2014 and 2024.
- Statisticians from the Fellbach Statistical Office have noted that employment policy within Württemberg must address the increasing number of socially insured individuals holding multiple jobs, with around 12.0% of these workers currently juggling more than one job.
- With an apparent surge in minijobs, it is essential for both community policy and employment policy in Württemberg to consider addressing the growing economic pressure on individuals, especially women, who represent 13.9% of female employees with additional jobs.
- By 2024, it is projected that nearly 5 million individuals in Württemberg will be socially insured, and it's crucial for the region's employment policy to account for the increasing demand for minijobs, particularly in industries such as hospitality, retail, healthcare, and social services.