However, recent labor market research reveals that current levels of immigration are insufficient—posing a serious challenge, especially in eastern Germany.
Between 2015 and 2024, the number of employed individuals with formal qualifications in Germany rose by approximately 600,000. But this entire increase is attributed to foreign professionals. During the same period, the number of German workers in this category actually declined.
Foreign Workers Also Fill Majority of Low-Skilled Jobs
The trend is similar in jobs that require no formal training. So-called “helper positions” saw an increase of over one million roles, almost entirely filled by non-German workers. These findings come from a new study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), based in Nuremberg.
Eastern Germany Hardest Hit by Demographic Shift
The demographic imbalance is especially severe in eastern Germany. In 2024, for every 100 workers aged 58 to 62 in western Germany, there were 95 younger workers aged 28 to 32. In eastern regions, the situation is much worse: only 68 younger workers are available to replace every 100 older ones nearing retirement.
“Although the age structure is somewhat more balanced in the West, even there the impending retirements cannot be fully offset by younger workers,” explained IAB labor market expert Holger Seibert.
Current Immigration Numbers Not Meeting Labor Demand
According to IAB researcher Sarah Kuhn, the present rate of labor migration is not high enough to meet Germany’s growing workforce needs. She highlighted that rural areas in eastern Germany, far from major urban centers, are particularly dependent on a stronger inflow of foreign workers to sustain local economies.
The data underscores a critical gap in workforce planning and highlights the need for more robust immigration policies if Germany hopes to avoid deeper structural labor shortages in the years ahead.
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