Germany is currently grappling with a substantial labor shortage, evident in over 1.98 million job vacancies spread across sectors.
The shortage is particularly pronounced in key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and transportation. The labour deficit is driven by demographic factors like an aging population, a declining birth rate, and an escalating demand for skilled professionals. In response, the country is actively seeking foreign talent to fill these critical roles and sustain its economic growth.
Germany’s aging workforce has been a growing liability, and positions in IT and software development, for instance, are becoming notoriously hard to fill. More companies are now looking abroad for help.
Nicole Büttner, co-founder and CEO of Mirantic’s Labs, a tech consultancy in Berlin, believes that this is an opportunity that Germany cannot afford to miss, especially given the global economic climate and recent layoffs by major tech companies.
The agricultural sector is experiencing a scarcity of skilled workers in livestock production, forestry, and horticulture. Specific roles include:
The construction industry also faces shortages across various trades, including:
The transportation sector is also affected, particularly in freight forwarding, logistics, and the need for drivers for earthmoving machinery.
The salaries for these in-demand occupations vary but are generally competitive. According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), average salaries include:
These efforts and competitive salaries aim to attract skilled foreign professionals, ensuring Germany remains economically strong despite demographic challenges.
For those seeking the highest-paying jobs in Germany, the following roles command significant salaries:
A DW Business Desk reporter, Stephen Bley, emphasized the importance of overseas talent for Germany. He noted that the workforce is not only aging but also working fewer hours as more people opt for part-time work, creating a shortage of skilled workers. This shift is happening amid record employment levels, prompting businesses and industry groups to seek overseas talent across various sectors.
Bley highlighted Berlin’s recent passage of a law easing the hiring process for foreign workers as a positive first step. However, he cautioned that Germany’s job market remains highly regulated and insulated from overseas competition, historically making it difficult for foreign professionals to enter the workforce.
Dirk Deepar, a business owner agrees notes