Overview
- Between 2021 and 2023, companies with at least 50 employees cut 71,100 domestic jobs due to relocations while creating 20,300, resulting in a net loss of 50,800.
- Production of goods saw the largest impact, with 26,100 positions eliminated and 5,000 added for a net decline of 21,100.
- Most moves stayed within the European Union, with 900 companies shifting functions there versus 700 to non‑EU destinations.
- Firms cited reducing wage costs (74%) as the top motive, followed by corporate strategy (62%), other cost advantages (59%) and domestic skills shortages (38%).
- Destatis released the first results under the 2024 GWStatG, setting a triennial baseline as 59% of larger firms were part of global value chains in 2023.