While I agree with the general conclusion of the other comments nobody seems to get the reasons right. Yes, the number is incorrect. But they don't need to make

While I agree with the general conclusion of the other comments nobody seems to get the reasons right. Yes, the number is incorrect. But they don't need to make up the number. If you don't offer any social security system, then there is no reason for people to go to the office. They don't go because of "cultural" reasons. They don't go because there's no benefit. In a country like Germany you actually get money and basic products like fridge, apartment, maybe even a TV. If you have to choose between trying something crazy/risky or going to the agency most people in Germany will go to the job agency. No cultural reason, just rewards. So in the end nobody is lying but the basic structure of the system is different which makes different true numbers. to make a more reasonable comparison the unofficial workers should be counted instead of the unemployed. But the thing is that they are hard to count.