Germany Needs 400,000 Immigrants Annually to Combat Labor Shortage
Germany is facing a severe labor shortage, with over a million job vacancies remaining unfilled in the second quarter of 2021, according to data from the Institute for Employment Research. The Chairman of the Federal Employment Agency, Detlef Scheele, has warned that the situation will only worsen in the coming years. Scheele attributes the shortage to demographic changes, with the number of potential workers in Germany decreasing by almost 150,000 in 2021 alone. The departure of highly skilled workers to other countries exacerbates the problem. Scheele believes that the only solution is to increase immigration significantly, stating that Germany needs 400,000 immigrants annually, including skilled workers in fields such as healthcare, climate technology, logistics, and academia.
Scheele also suggests that unskilled workers need to be trained, and employees who are involuntarily working part-time should be offered longer working hours to address the labor shortage. In 2020, Germany recognized 44,800 foreign professional qualifications, a five percent increase from the previous year, with the majority in healthcare, engineering, education, and childcare. The Skilled Immigration Act, which came into effect on March 1, 2020, aims to attract qualified immigrants to Germany. The process of recognizing foreign professional qualifications could be further accelerated in the future to combat the labor shortage.
Germany’s labor shortage is a significant challenge that requires immediate action. The country needs to attract more skilled immigrants and invest in training programs for unskilled workers. The Skilled Immigration Act is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the issue. The government should work with businesses and educational institutions to create a comprehensive plan to combat the labor shortage and ensure that Germany remains competitive in the global economy.
