Germany is currently experiencing a severe labor shortage, as seen by the astonishing 770,301 open positions. This number indicates that there are almost twice as many open vacancies as in 2011 data.
Now Germany seeks foreign workers for 20 urgent jobs in 2024.
Germany’s low birth rate of 1.53 per woman and average population age of 45 have made it necessary for the country to depend more and more on foreign labor to maintain its thriving economy.
Changes in Immigration Policy and Their Obstacles
Over the years, Germany has continuously modified its immigration laws to meet the country’s changing labor demands. The goal is to make it simpler for international workers and refugees to enter the job market.
Even with these changes to legislation, several industries nevertheless suffer from job openings that are still available to foreign nationals with the necessary training or expertise.
Also Read: Lecturer Jobs through PPSC Advertisement No. 30/2023
Prospects for International Employees
Foreigners who wish to live and work in Germany should take advantage of this labor shortage by starting the process of applying for a work visa.
There is a powerful need for skilled laborers in many industries, including:
- Automation
- Bus and tram drivers
- Drivers for earthmoving and related machinery
- Forestry
- Freight forwarding and logistics
- Glazing
- Horticulture
- Interior construction and dry walling
- Livestock farming
- Metalworking
- Monitoring and maintenance of railway infrastructure
- Pharmaceutical technical assistants
- Pipeline construction
- Plant, container, and apparatus construction
- Sales
- Sales (furniture, fittings)
- Surveying, scaffolding
- System catering
- Tyre and vulcanization technology
- Wood, furnishing, interior fitting
Pay in Fields with High Demand
Data from the Economic Research Institute (ERI) show that different jobs in demand pay different amounts. For example:
- Employees at crop farms typically make €17 per hour or €35,616 per year.
- Technicians in forestry are paid €18 per hour and €36,791 per year.
- Specialty producers in horticulture make €36,913 a year, or €18 per hour.
- An annual salary of €44,052 and an hourly wage of €21 are demanded of construction workers.
- Drivers are paid €14 per hour and €28,276 per year.
Germany’s Highest-Paying Professions
Conversely, the highest-paying positions in Germany, together with their average yearly earnings, 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)
Requirements and Eligibility for Visas
It can be required for non-German nationals looking for work in Germany to obtain a visa. Nonetheless, no visa is required for employment in Germany for nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the European Free Trade Association. In a similar vein, passport holders from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the USA, and South Korea can enter the nation, but they must apply for a residency visa when they are there.
The Labor Landscape in Europe
There is a labor shortage in 29 European countries at the moment, while there is an excess of workers in 24 countries. The fields with the greatest shortages include software development, engineering, construction, and healthcare. On the other hand, jobs involving secretarial duties, elementary school positions, and positions in the humanities and arts are among the jobs in excess labor.
Germany’s Expense of Living
Cities, areas, and family sizes are some of the elements that affect the cost of living in Germany. According to recent data, an individual’s anticipated monthly costs, without including rent, are €967.6. The expected monthly costs increase to €3319.8 for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center is expected to rent for €819.63, while an apartment outside the city center is forecast to rent for €626.01. Rental costs vary. The estimated cost of a three-bedroom apartment in the city center is €1705.58, while the cost of an identical unit outside the city center is €1162.59.
