Germany study shows low use of gender-inclusive language in companies

A study by the data platform Listflix has analyzed over 2.3 million corporate websites to determine the prevalence of gender-inclusive language in Germany. The analysis found that only 9.2% of German companies use gendered writing on their websites, such as the use of asterisks, colons, or hyphens to include all genders.

The data reveals significant disparities based on company size and sector. Approximately 20.7% of large corporations utilize gendered language, compared to 15.8% of medium-sized businesses and only 8.8% of micro-businesses. In the medical sector, there is a sharp divide: 70.3% of hospitals use gendered writing, whereas only 15.6% of private medical practices do.

Regional trends also show that university cities lead in the use of inclusive language. Freiburg im Breisgau ranks first with 15.7%, followed by Münster, Osnabrück, Cologne, and Kiel. Conversely, the lowest usage was observed in areas like Suhl, Vorpommern-Rügen, and Regen, which are noted for having higher representations of the AfD political party.