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The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a frequently used measure for evaluating body weight in relation to height. It allows for assessing the health status of a population with regards to underweight, normal weight, and obesity (severe overweight). An up-to-date analysis of the BMI in Germany up to the year 2017 provides valuable insights into weight classifications and how they relate to factors such as gender, marital status, and age groups.
The results indicate that the BMI varies across different age groups and genders, considering weight categories of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity.
In 2017, the proportion of individuals with normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/m²) was 53.6 percent in total. This showed a slight decrease in normal weight compared to 2013 (54.1 percent). Overweight (BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m²) was observed in 21.3 percent of the population, while 25.1 percent were affected by obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m² or more). These values remained relatively stable compared to 2013.
Upon closer examination by age groups, it becomes evident that young adults aged 18 to under 20 had a high proportion of normal weight (75.2 percent). With increasing age, the percentage of overweight and obesity steadily rises, with this trend leveling off in individuals above 70 years. Among those aged 75 and older, the proportion of individuals with normal weight (43.9 percent) is relatively lower, while obesity (48.0 percent) is more prevalent.
Gender differences in BMI are also significant. In 2017, more men (35.1 percent) were overweight compared to women (30.6 percent). Obesity was more pronounced in men (20.5 percent) than in women (18.1 percent). Overall, women had a slightly higher prevalence of normal weight (56.9 percent) compared to men (53.6 percent).
An analysis based on marital status revealed that married individuals had a higher proportion of normal weight (53.6 percent compared to 51.5 percent) and a lower proportion of obesity (19.4 percent compared to 21.0 percent) compared to unmarried individuals.
Overall, this study illustrates that while the BMI remained largely stable in Germany, it varies with age, gender, and marital status. The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in older age groups and among married individuals underscores the importance of prevention measures targeting different population segments to minimize health risks and promote awareness of a healthy lifestyle.
Upon closer examination of the data, several particularly noteworthy trends emerge:
These trends could be attributed to various factors, including changing lifestyles, dietary habits, and potentially societal influences.
Nominal wages in Germany recorded a remarkable 6.6% year-on-year increase in Q2 2023, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced today. This marks the highest increase in nominal wages for a reporting quarter since records began in 2008, while consumer prices rose by 6.5% over the same period. As a result, real wages posted a modest 0.1% year-over-year increase, marking the first increase since Q2 2021.
This development was made possible by a combination of factors. A decisive contribution came from the inflation compensation premium, which can amount to up to 3,000 euros and is tax- and duty-free. Employers pay this premium on a voluntary basis. Likewise, the increase in the minimum wage to 12 euros per hour in October 2022 contributed to this positive trend.
The nominal wage increase for marginally employed persons was particularly impressive, at 9.7% compared with the same period last year. This is largely due to the increase in the mini-job earnings threshold from €450 to €520 per month from October 1, 2022, as well as the minimum wage increase. Part-time workers (+7.2%) and apprentices (+8.4%) also recorded above-average wage increases. By contrast, nominal wages of full-time employees rose slightly below average by 6.3%. Within full-time employees, however, the bottom fifth of the wage scale recorded the strongest increases, averaging +11.8%.
An interesting finding from the data is also the wage growth in sectors heavily affected by the Corona crisis. In the hospitality sector, nominal wages increased by an impressive 12.6% compared to Q2 2022, while similarly large increases were seen in the arts, entertainment and recreation (+11.9%) and transportation and warehousing (+10.0%) sectors. These increases can largely be viewed as catch-up effects, as these sectors were hit hard by lockdowns and short-time work during the pandemic.
A closer analysis of the various sectors shows that pre-crisis wage levels - as measured by the nominal wage index in Q2 2019 - have been regained almost everywhere. A few exceptions are motor vehicle manufacturing, other transport equipment manufacturing, and aerospace.
The new earnings indexes beginning with the 2023 reporting year are based on the improved earnings survey, which provides more comprehensive coverage of employment types and economic sectors. As a result, the data provide a more accurate and comprehensive representation of wage growth and its interrelationships in the German economy as a whole.
In the aggregate, the new earnings indices indicate that the German economy is growing at a faster pace.
Overall, the current data suggest that German workers have experienced a slight increase in their purchasing power despite general inflation and economic uncertainties. This could have positive implications for consumption and economic stability, while the sustainability of this development should continue to be monitored.