Germany must attract 288,000 skilled foreign workers annually to address a critical labor shortage, according to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
Without significant immigration, the workforce could shrink by 10% by 2040, decreasing from the current 46.4 million to 41.9 million and potentially dropping further to 35.1 million by 2060.
“The retirement of baby boomers from the labor market poses significant challenges,” said Susanne Schultz, a migration expert at the foundation. While increasing domestic workforce participation remains essential, Schultz stressed that immigration is crucial to countering demographic shifts.
A more pessimistic forecast suggested the annual demand for foreign workers could rise to 368,000 by 2040, though it might decrease to 270,000 by 2060.
Despite recent reforms to labor migration laws, Germany’s current intake falls short of these targets. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser pledged “the most modern immigration legislation in the world” to attract skilled workers and reduce bureaucratic barriers.
