Germany is dealing with around 770,301 job vacancies.
Germany is dealing with 770,301 job vacancies, according to Statista. In 2022 there were almost double the number of positions compared to 2011.
With an ageing population, the average age of which stands at 45, and a low rate of 1.53 births per woman, Germany has been relying on foreign workers for years now, in order to keep its economy going.
In recent years, Germany has continuously made changes to the immigration rules in an effort to make it easier for refugees and foreigners to access the labour market. Yet, despite all the changes, the labour market in the country is still struggling with positions in specific fields remaining open to foreign workers who have the education or experience.
In Germany, a survey by the Munich-based IFO institute found that 87 per cent of family businesses were suffering from the impact of shortages of workers. – EURES, Report on labour shortages and surpluses (2022)
Foreigners who aim to live and work in Germany can benefit from this labour shortage and start the procedures of getting a work visa for Germany. The fields that need the most skilled workers are as follows:
- Livestock farming
- Forestry
- Horticulture
- Tyre and vulcanisation technology
- Wood, furnishing, interior fitting
- Metalworking
- Automation
- Surveying, scaffolding
- Interior construction and dry walling
- Glazing
- Pipeline construction
- Plant, container and apparatus construction
- Monitoring and maintenance of railway infrastructure
- Freight forwarding and logistics
- Drivers for earthmoving and related machinery
- Sales (furniture, fittings)
- Sales
- System catering
- Pharmaceutical technical assistants
- Bus and tram drivers
According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), the average pay for crop farm workers is €35,616 a year and €17 per hour, and for forestry technicians, it is €36,791 a year and 18€ per hour. Whereas for horticultural specialty growers is €36,913 a year and €18 per hour, for construction workers €44,052 a year and €21 per hour and for drivers is €28,276 and €14 per hour, etc.
On the other hand, the highest paying jobs in Germany and the average salaries per year are as follows:
- Doctor (€71,600 – €101,696)
- Pilot (€93,499)
- Sales manager (€82,392)
- Lawyer (€81,254),
- Portfolio manager (€80,000 to €120,000)
- College professor (€74,200)
- Engineering (€63,000)
- Software developer (€45,000 to €80,000)
- Project manager (€45,000 to €90,000)
- Risk manager (€70,000 – €85,000)
- Judge (€76,619)
- Tax advisor (€70,000)
In order to work in Germany, non-German citizens may need a visa. However, nationals of any of the member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association are available to work in Germany without a visa. While nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, USA, and South Korea can enter the country with a passport but they must apply for a residence permit upon their arrival.
According to the EURES report, 29 European countries are experiencing labour shortages, whereas 24 countries have surplus labour. Occupations facing shortages mainly include professions in software, healthcare, construction, and engineering craft.
Conversely, occupations in surplus labour include clerical-related roles, elementary occupations, and professional occupations in the humanities and arts.
Costs of Living in Germany
The cost of living in Germany varies depending on different aspects, including city, area and number of family members. According to recent data, a single person’s estimated costs are €967.6 per month, not including the rent, while the estimated costs of a family of four are €3319.8.
Conversely, the projected rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is €819.63, while it is €626.01 for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre. For a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre, the estimated cost is €1705.58, and for an equivalent apartment outside the city centre, it is €1162.59.
