Weak Economy: IG Metall Continues to Lose Members - IG Metall’s membership plummets for seventh straight year amid industry job cuts

IG Metall, Germany’s largest industrial union, has seen its membership drop for the seventh year in a row. By the end of 2025, numbers fell to just over 2 million, down from a peak of 2.27 million in 2018. The decline comes as job cuts in the metal and electrical sectors continue to shrink the workforce.

The union lost 3.9 percent of its members in 2025, leaving total numbers at 2,015,495. Only 93,000 new members joined during the year—the lowest figure since 2021. Job reductions in key industries remain the main driver behind the drop.

No major collective bargaining talks took place in 2025 for the metal and electrical sectors. Despite the falling membership, the union’s finances remained strong. Revenue rose slightly from €642 million in 2024 to €648 million in 2025, and its strike fund stayed well funded. Christiane Benner led IG Metall as First Chairwoman in 2025, while Dr. Udo Dinglreiter took over as President of Gesamtmetall—the employers’ association—on January 1, 2026.

The steady decline in membership reflects ongoing job losses in Germany’s metal and electrical industries. Though fewer workers are joining, the union’s financial position remains stable. The lack of bargaining talks in 2025 suggests a period of relative calm in labour relations.