The Federal Employment Agency (BA) has warned that the coronavirus pandemic has caused the number of skilled workers in Germany to dwindle even further and that the situation will only get worse once the pandemic ends.

Germany’s skilled labour force is shrinking

The coronavirus crisis has forced people from all across the country out of their jobs, so much so, that there are around 500.000 more unemployed people in January this year than there was at the same time last year. However, despite the growing number of unemployed people that are willing and able to work, the BA has warned that the pandemic has caused a shortage of skilled workers in Germany.

Germany had already been suffering from a shortage of skilled workers due to its ageing society, and coronavirus has caused their numbers to drop even further. "Corona exacerbates the demographic development: our ageing society has even fewer skilled workers available," said BA’s director, Detlef Scheele.

Germany needs immigration

Coronavirus has forced Germany to close its borders for all but essential travel, leading to fewer workers immigrating to Germany over the past year. “Far too few workers came to Germany," said Scheele, "Due to corona, EU immigration has decreased significantly.” Scheele explained that Germany needed around 400.000 people to immigrate to the country every year to maintain the labour force balance. However, with only 200.000 to 250.000 people immigrating, the number of skilled workers will be significantly lower.

Labour market experts agree that, with more and more people expected to retire in the coming years, Germany needs more immigration, as well as more women and elderly participation in the labour force, to make up the losses.