Study: Age Discrimination Is Omnipresent

Who hasn’t experienced this: You apply for a job and are told you’re too old, too young, overqualified – and therefore too expensive? In March, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (ADS) published a representative survey on age discrimination conducted by the opinion research institute GMS.

Discrimination Against Both Young and Old
The result: 45% of people in Germany over the age of 16 have experienced age discrimination at some point in their lives. Among those over 65, it was every third respondent (35%). When women are also seen as less suitable for leadership roles, two forms of discrimination intersect. Based on the experiences we discuss in the Senior Professionals working group of Fondsfrauen, age discrimination often starts at a very young age – sometimes as early as 50.

Targeted Use of Strengths – Old and Young
This is concerning for two reasons: Firstly, half of Germany’s population is already over the age of 45, and the number of seniors is increasing demographically. This significantly limits the talent pool for companies. Secondly, from an economic perspective, it makes little sense to do without the experience, established networks, and generally high motivation of older employees. One promising solution could be age-diverse tandems – where younger and older employees support and motivate each other.

According to the survey, most respondents experienced discrimination in the workplace: 39% reported age discrimination in relation to employment. 27% reported discrimination in the healthcare sector, and 24% when shopping or using services. 22% experienced discrimination in the housing market – for example, being denied home loans. Digitalization has also led to disadvantages (11%) according to respondents, as many analog services are simply being phased out, leaving only digital communication channels.

A Societal Rethink Is Needed
“The survey shows that age discrimination is a bigger problem than we realize,” said Ferda Ataman, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, on Tuesday in Berlin. “Although age discrimination is legally prohibited, hardly anyone knows that. Most people face it alone instead of seeking advice or defending themselves.” Ataman called for a societal shift in how we deal with age discrimination: “We need to address the negative stereotypes about age in our society. People still believe that older colleagues are a burden in the workplace. That’s nonsense – and harmful to the economy,” said Ataman.

Ataman urged the future federal government to take stronger action against age-based discrimination. Specifically, she proposed a National Action Plan on Anti-Discrimination which would also include measures against age discrimination. She also advocated for an amendment to the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) to strengthen the rights of affected individuals. Furthermore, she called for the interests and fundamental rights of older people to be consistently protected in the digital age and in the use of artificial intelligence. In this context, Ataman recommended that public and private services continue to be offered in analog formats as well – and that the demands of senior organizations be taken seriously. She also suggested that the prohibition of age discrimination be enshrined in the German Law.

Counseling from the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
By the way, the ADS offers a counseling service. More than 8,600 cases of age discrimination have been reported there. Ataman shared examples such as a 55-year-old IT expert who was told by her supervisor that she was “too old” – her contract was subsequently not renewed. And a 60-year-old bank customer who was denied an overdraft account – the bank claimed that “due to his advanced age", his creditworthiness could no longer be ensured.”

Our take: Discrimination of any kind is wrong – and ultimately harmful both to the person affected and to the company itself. HR departments should fill positions with the person best suited for the role.

For the representative survey conducted by the opinion research institute GMS, 2,004 people in Germany were interviewed. Survey period: March 11–16, 2025 Method: CATI Dual Frame (landline/mobile)

 

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