A European Comparison of Trade Union Membership Structures: Results from the European Social Survey

At 15.6 percent Germany is in the midrange, behind the United Kingdom (20.6 percent) but ahead of France (7.3 percent). Regardless of these different levels, trade unions in all countries surveyed face the same structural challenges. They need to recruit more young workers, organize so-called "atypical" employees, such as part-time workers and temporary workers, and gain readier access to smaller businesses. One particular problem is that 16- to 30-year-olds are underrepresented among union members. Unless they can sign up more younger workers, unions will continue to see declining membership for the next few years.