Overview
- An industry-level study by the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft finds more than 260,000 specialist vacancies across the ten most affected sectors last year.
- Health care accounts for about 46,000 unfilled roles, led by shortages of physiotherapists (11,979), nursing staff (7,174) and dental assistants (6,778).
- Construction reports roughly 41,300 open positions, notably for building electricians (10,496) and sanitary, heating and air-conditioning specialists (8,648).
- Public administration and social services face around 37,600 vacancies, including public administration (4,603) and childcare (4,451), with industry lacking over 35,000 workers split between metal products (~18,500) and machinery (~18,000).
- The IW says weaker economic activity has eased pressures only slightly and urges recruit-and-train strategies, incentives for longer working lives and targeted skilled immigration.