Germany faces staff shortages in 157 occupations as foreign workers’ role grows

Germany’s Federal Employment Agency identified skilled-worker shortages in 157 occupational groups in 2025, six fewer than a year earlier but still a high level. The strongest shortages remained in care and health, construction and skilled trades, as well as among cooks, professional drivers and educators.

The share of foreign employees in shortage occupations has doubled since 2014 to about 14%. Employers reported an annual average of around 402,000 vacancies for skilled workers, specialists and experts in 2025, and half were in shortage occupations.