Effects of the German statutory minimum wage on wages and working hours (MLK015)

This project examined the effects of the statutory minimum wage since 2015 on hourly and monthly wages, working hours and the volume of work, as well as wage mobility. The focus was on the medium-term effects up to 2019. The analyses primarily relied on data from the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), as this is the most comprehensive panel data set for Germany containing information on working hours and hourly wages. The Structure of Earnings Survey (VSE) and the Earnings Surveys (VE) were used as further data sources. In addition to descriptive analyses, causal analyses were conducted on the impact of the statutory minimum wage on earnings and working hours. Furthermore, the impact of the minimum wage on the scope and design of sideline activities as well as the design of working time regulations and working time recording was shown.

Final report (in German)