Skilled labor shortage in Germany: One in four people is thinking about returning!

Skilled labor shortage in Germany: One in four people is thinking about returning!

At a time when the German economy is on shaky ground, the need for skilled workers remains high. How DW reports, there is an urgent need for workers in sectors such as nursing, IT, construction, crafts, education, catering and transport. The shortage of skilled workers is so severe that around 1.4 million positions are expected to remain unfilled by the end of 2024.

These alarming figures also have an impact on labor immigration. The proportion of foreign employees in Germany has increased significantly in recent years. At over 16% in 2024, this value is more than twice as high as in 2010. In medicine in particular, more than 16% of doctors are foreigners, and in the nursing sector even 20% of employees come from abroad.

Thoughts of returning: immigrants with a doubtful look

Although the economy is dependent on immigration, according to a study by the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research (IAB), 26% of migrants surveyed are thinking about returning. That's around 2.6 million people. Well-educated and economically successful migrants are particularly affected by these considerations - almost 30% in knowledge-intensive professions such as IT and finance plan to leave Germany. The main reasons are family aspects, better job opportunities, high tax burdens, bureaucracy and discrimination. Two thirds of those surveyed report experiences of discrimination, which increases the tendency to emigrate.

Changing social acceptance of migrants also plays a role. The political influence of right-wing extremist parties such as the AfD and restrictive migration policies contribute to the insecurity of many immigrants. For many migrants of recent years there is only a very limited incentive to stay in Germany.

Government innovations to secure skilled workers

In order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers, the Bundestag decided on various measures on June 23, 2023. This includes facilitating immigration for highly qualified specialists, university graduates and people with practical professional experience. The salary limit for academics has been reduced to 3,500 euros and the priority test for German employees has been abolished. In addition, asylum seekers with a job offer are allowed to stay, even if their asylum application has been rejected.

Loud Destatis An increasing number of workers from non-EU countries shows that Germany is dependent on qualified immigration to address the shortage of skilled workers. Between 2012 and 2022, almost 200,000 skilled workers from non-EU countries received a Blue Card, making it easier for them to work in Germany. However, integration into the labor market often remains a challenge, particularly for migrants from countries such as Syria or the Middle East, who typically take longer to find stable employment.

Conclusion: A balancing act between demand and migration

The situation for migrants in Germany remains exciting. Even though the need for skilled workers is urgent, many immigrants may already have one foot on the move. The planned reforms could have a positive impact on the retention of these skilled workers, but social support and integration are still essential factors for a successful immigration policy. Forecasts show that Germany needs 400,000 immigrants every year to secure the supply of skilled workers. The question remains whether the existing challenges will bring this immigration to a standstill.

Let us remain curious to see how the situation will develop and whether Germany can develop the necessary good skills to successfully retain the much-needed skilled workers.

It remains to be seen whether the political measures can actually counteract the shortage of skilled workers. It is clear that the path will not be easy and numerous hurdles will have to be overcome.

Thankfully, the federal government has already taken the first steps to bring about an improvement - but time is running out.

Further information and in-depth analysis on this topic can be found at Deutschlandfunk.