Germany’s Shortage of Skilled Workers Eases Slightly

Companies believe that the shortage of skilled workers in Germany has eased somewhat. 33.8 percent of companies are getting too few qualified workers, compared to 34.9 percent in April. “The sluggish economy is currently also reducing the demand for skilled workers,” says ifo expert Klaus Wohlrabe, “Due to demographic change, however, the problem will be permanent and will worsen again.”

Service providers are especially hard hit (39.7 percent). Recruitment and temporary employment agencies in particular (around 70 percent) are unable to recruit enough skilled personnel. The situation is similar for legal and tax consultants, and audit companies. In logistics, almost two thirds of companies are looking for suitable applicants. In manufacturing, around one in four companies reported staffing problems. In the automotive industry, the figure is just under 30 percent. In the furniture industry, it is 14 percent. In trade and construction, somewhat more than a quarter of companies report a shortage of qualified workers.