2025
8
Germany Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consumer Report 2025
2025-08-20T12:03:22+00:00
REP83B6E382_6417_4340_BC01_6F84CEF741EF
2195
185757
[{"name":"All Industries","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Reports","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"Germany","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/germany-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
Our Diversity in Germany market research shows that Germany is becoming more diverse. Brands can celebrate diversity in all its forms through efforts such as culturally diverse food and gender-neutral…
Germany
All Industries
simple

Germany Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consumer Report 2025

Our Diversity in Germany market research shows that Germany is becoming more diverse. Brands can celebrate diversity in all its forms through efforts such as culturally diverse food and gender-neutral clothing.

Trusted by leading global brands

Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Opportunities
  2. OPPORTUNITIES

    • Continue to drive affordability to foster an inclusive society
    • Intensify efforts to make everyday living affordable for everyone
    • Take inspiration from ALDI’s claim to ensure everyone can afford a good life
    • F&D: promote a greater understanding of seasonality to highlight savings potential
    • Take progressive steps to promote equality for women
    • Ensure women are fairly represented in media to boost visibility
    • Offer progressive childcare initiatives to boost workplace equality
    • Henkel’s gender-neutral parental leave policy acts as an example
    • Shift towards gender neutrality can aid eradication of ‘pink tax’
    • Embrace diversity in all its forms
    • Celebrate Germany’s cultural diversity to inspire inclusive food offerings
    • Embrace individuality and challenge traditional gender norms
    • Promote authentic representation of humans as the threat of AI homogenisation looms
    • Dove highlights the risks of AI proliferating homogenised images
  3. CONSUMER

    • Representation of DEI-related population groups
    • Being overlooked at the workplace remains the dominant area for concern
    • Graph 1: overlooked or underrepresented population groups in selected areas, 2025
    • Concerted efforts are needed to break workplace homogeneity
    • People with low incomes and health issues remain in the limelight
    • Graph 2: groups believed to be overlooked or underrepresented population groups (NET), 2023 vs 2025
    • Low-income groups are overlooked in key areas like housing and education
    • Increased awareness of women being overlooked in society may trigger action
    • Growing perception that Germans with non-traditional sexual orientations and gender identities are being overlooked
    • Where consumers feel overlooked when shopping
    • Almost two thirds of Germans report no feelings of being overlooked for typical purchasing types
    • Graph 3: areas where consumers feel overlooked/underrepresented for selected types of purchases, 2025
    • Germans with a migrant background appear inordinately excluded
    • Graph 4: areas where consumers feel overlooked/underrepresented for selected types of purchases, by parents’ citizenship at birth, 2025
    • Gender-neutral clothing can boost inclusivity with enhanced fit and style
    • Younger Germans are most likely to feel overlooked when buying food to match their dietary needs
    • Food & drink offerings must reflect the changing demography of German society
    • Provide personalisation options for those in healthy financial situations
    • Graph 5: feelings of being overlooked/underrepresented when buying products in selected categories, by financial situation, 2025
    • Brand responsibilities regarding DEI
    • Affordability remains key
    • Graph 6: most important responsibilities for brands regarding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), 2023 vs 2025
    • Women’s perception of the importance of brands employing a diverse workforce falls
    • Employing a diverse workforce is imperative for equality and growth
    • Signpost adherence to DEI in media to gain trust of Gen Z
    • Improve digital accessibility to foster inclusion
    • Areas the German government should prioritise to advance women’s equality
    • Women’s equality is grounded in the workplace
    • Graph 7: areas the German government should prioritise the most to advance women’s equality, 2025
    • Sweden’s success can serve as an example to further gender equality in Germany
    • Protecting women from inappropriate behaviour should be a greater governmental focus
    • Women aged 55+ are most likely to think the government should prioritise closing the gender pay gap
    • Government and companies must both take responsibility to make a gender pay gap breakthrough
    • Companies addressing gender pay gap concerns
    • Millennials and Baby Boomers are most likely to agree that financial compensation should be given for care work
    • Gender care gap must be addressed to make strides in workplace equality
    • Attitudes towards DEI
    • Majority of Germans support gender-equitable pricing…
    • …calling for efforts to tackle the ‘pink tax’
    • Majority regard Germany as culturally diverse
    • Graph 8: attitudes towards DEI in Germany and cultural heritage, 2025
    • Support campaigns that further awareness of cultural diversity’s strength
    • Celebrate the cultural heritage of all Germans to reflect increasing cultural diversity
  4. MARKET DRIVERS

    • Impact of the economy on a diverse, equitable and inclusive German society
    • Financial confidence lower amongst those with lower monthly household incomes
    • Graph 9: financial confidence over the next year or so, by net monthly household income, 2025
    • Gini Coefficient indicates a steady picture in terms of wealth inequality
    • Population dynamics
    • Immigration plays a huge role in the makeup of German society
    • Many younger Germans have a migrant background
    • Liberalised legislation intended to allow embracing sense of self under threat
    • Gender equality in the workplace
    • Gender pay gap narrows slightly, but work to be done
    • Parental allowance changes may punish women with academic/higher vocational qualifications
    • Corporate DEI commitment
    • US overreach threatens the progress of some DEI programs at work
  5. APPENDIX

    • Report scope and definitions
    • Market definition
    • Abbreviations and generations
    • Abbreviations
    • Generations
    • Methodology – consumer research
    • Consumer research methodology
    • A note on language
Download Report Summary

The majority of Germans agree that Germany is culturally diverse. However, as German society continues to evolve, there is room to become more inclusive and to grow DEI in Germany.

Equity, Inclusion & Diversity in Germany — Current Landscape

Germany is culturally diverse — German consumers agree on that. However, as Germany develops from a cultural and sexual liberalisation standpoint, there is room for society to become more inclusive, particularly for those in low-income groups.

The workplace is an environment in which DEI efforts must be strengthened, particularly at a time when DEI initiatives are under threat. Therefore, the efforts for equal rights in the workplace must be intensified. For example, through progressive policies such as fully paid gender-neutral parental leave opportunities to ease the childcare burden for women, removing a speed bump to career progression.

Moreover, brands are well-advised to adapt and cater to the country’s changing cultural demographics: products that appeal to the growing consumer group with a migrant background can foster inclusion. Affordability has also become imperative, creating opportunities for brands to develop strong brand loyalty if they are seen to be making a concerted effort to make products affordable for all.

DEI in Germany — Statistics

  • Diversity and Inclusion in the German Market: Awareness that women are overlooked in Germany has risen between 2023 and 2025. 15% of Germans think women are underrepresented in the media in 2025; a notable increase since 2023.
  • Consumer Attitudes Towards Diversity in Germany: While almost 60% of Gen Z agree that diversity in the media can bring about positive change in society, 45% of them also agree that DEI efforts in the media appear to have decreased.

Diversity in Germany Market Research — What’s Inside?

Key Topics Analysed in this Report

  • Population groups believed to be overlooked or underrepresented in various areas in Germany, including the central issue of the workplace.
  • Consumer Attitudes Towards Diversity in Germany: Where they feel overlooked or underrepresented whilst shopping.
  • Brand responsibilities regarding DEI in Germany (2025 vs 2023).
  • Areas the German government should prioritise to advance women’s equality.
  • Attitudes towards DEI in Germany, including consumer perception on cultural diversity and DEI efforts in the media.

Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis

This report is written by Dr. Jennifer Hendricks, Principal Analyst. Jennifer explores consumer and market trends on diverse topics like sustainability and lifestyles of various consumer demographics. During her PhD, she acquired extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research. Prior to joining Mintel, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher specialising in service management and retailing.

Our Diversity in Germany market research shows that Germany is becoming more diverse. Brands can celebrate diversity in all its forms through efforts such as culturally diverse food and gender-neutral clothing.

Black and white photograph of Dr. Jennifer Hendricks, Senior Analyst at Mintel.

 

 

 

Dr. Jennifer Hendricks
Principal Analyst — Consumer Lifestyles, Germany

£ 2,195 excl. Tax
Secure direct checkout
Instant PDF download
Portal access included
Need help deciding? Get in touch

Trusted by global industry leaders

4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Mediacom logo

Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.

It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.

Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
VocaLink logo

We use Mintel Reports, mostly for financial services and ecommerce markets, plus a few retail and technology ones.

As a leading payments provider, we value additional insights into consumer behaviour, opinions and trends that are shaping the many different markets we operate in. Mintel is a very good and very quick way for us to obtain those insights.

We use Mintel to get a view on where a particular market is going, which can support us in product development and help us identify opportunities or indeed risks, it is a very useful barometer of a market’s potential.

 

Andrew Neeson, Market Intelligence Manager, VocaLink
Abacus logo

There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.

However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.

Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus
Epsilon logo

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
Bauer Media Group logo

We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.

They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.

Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
Wincanton logo

When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.

They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.

So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.

Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
Deutsch logo

One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.

We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.

We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.

Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
Amazon logo

Working in a customer-obsessed organization means that data and insights have to be at our fingertips. Mintel’s reports help us support anecdotes with real quantifiable insights. The summary sections (which I really like) helps save time by giving a birds eye view of the content before spending time combing through the pages.

Our business review discussions are strengthened by the relevancy of the reports to help us better understand our customers. In addition, the customer service received from the team (especially in crunch periods) makes the process of understanding customer behavior even better.

Ngozi Ngonadi-Nkwoji, Senior Marketing Manager, Amazon
Waitrose & Partners logo

We’ve found it so useful working more closely with Mintel. They helped support our recent flagship event for our top suppliers by providing a really unique viewpoint on the future of online retailing.

Nick Carroll from their Retail Team was also an excellent panelist, sharing useful and actionable consumer insights. We definitely look forward to working with Mintel again on future projects.

Zac Steele, E-Commerce Trading Development Manager, Waitrose & Partners
Jackman logo

At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.

Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
VML logo

We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.

Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.

Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML
Tenth Wave logo

Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.

When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.

The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.

Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave