Trends in employment in West Germany evolved from analysis of a rural youth survey based on interviews from 1955, 1968, and 1980. Persons surveyed were from 17 to 28 years of age and lived in settlements of 5,000 inhabitants or less. During the time period (1955-1980), the youth employment rate decreased from 74% to 67%. Agricultural jobs decreased more than others. Although traditional rural handicrafts lost workers, modern handicrafts (especially car mechanics) gained workers. There was a decline of independent workers from 61% to 11% and a rise of employees and officials from 9% to 45% within two generations. The percentage of labourers increased from 30% to 44%. Changes in working conditions were characterized by preponderant employment as wage earners, reduction of working time, and transition from manual to mechanical work. The labour activities of most rural juveniles shifted from family farms and firms to foreign workshops and offices. In 1955, only 41% of the subjects commuted to work, but 90% commuted in 1980. Rural youth often chose unsuitable professions and often shifted jobs in search of suitable careers. Data indicated that rural settlements had changed in character as a result of occupational changes. (CM)