The shortage of skilled workers in Germany continues to worsen, with 1.92 million job vacancies remaining unfilled at the end of the second quarter of 2022. According to data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the number of open positions in the country has increased. Of the 1.92 million vacancies, 1.47 million were to be filled immediately or as soon as possible, while the remaining 458,000 were to be filled at a later date. In West Germany, 1.18 million positions were immediately available, while in East Germany, 292,000 positions were available.
Compared to the first quarter of 2021, the number of job vacancies has increased by 764,400 (66%) in the second quarter of 2022. The shortage of skilled workers is evident in the responses of companies, which have led to a rising demand for personnel in almost all industries. Despite the high demand for labor, there are significant risks for the near future, such as a possible halt in gas deliveries from Russia, according to IAB researcher Alexander Kubis.
The IAB collects data on job vacancies through regular surveys of companies, which allows them to capture both reported and unreported vacancies. Approximately 7,500 companies from all sectors participated in the latest survey. The shortage of skilled workers in Germany is a growing concern, and it remains to be seen how the country will address this issue in the coming years.
