Mittelschicht

Mittelschicht, or the middle class, is a social and economic group typically situated between the working class and the upper class. Definitions vary by country and discipline, but are often based on a combination of income, education, and occupation.

In many analyses, middle-class status is linked to stable employment, home ownership or durable goods, and the ability to save and invest modestly. Education level—such as secondary or tertiary attainment—also commonly correlates with middle-class membership. The group is diverse, including professionals, office workers, skilled tradespeople, and small business owners, leading to a wide range of lifestyles and earnings within a shared sense of social standing.

Regional and demographic differences are common; income thresholds and cost of living can shift who is categorized as middle class. Policy debates frequently focus on social mobility, taxation, housing, and access to education, all of which affect the size and resilience of the Mittelschicht. In German discourse, the term is central to discussions of social cohesion, consumption patterns, and attitudes toward the welfare state.

Critics note that the middle class is not monolithic and that workers with similar incomes may have different security; rising precarity and underemployment in some segments have led some scholars to speak of a “new middle class” or precariat within or alongside traditional middle-class groups. Overall, the Mittelschicht remains a key reference point for assessing social structure and inequality in modern economies.