Germany is facing an accelerated increase in the labor shortage, with the German Economic Institute (IW) estimating that by 2028 this deficit will grow to around 768,000 open but unfilled jobs, which is a significant increase compared to last year's 487,000.

The key reason lies in demographic changes, especially the mass retirement of the baby boomer generation, which is further increasing pressure on employees in numerous sectors, writes SEEbiz.

Study author Jurek Tideman emphasizes: “The main reason is demographic change. Many people will retire in the coming years.” He warns that, if no solution is found, “more and more people will feel the shortage every day,” especially through direct consequences such as a lack of places in kindergartens and nursing homes, which further makes it harder for employees to balance work and family obligations.

The labor market analysis is based on data from 2023 and earlier trends, and the greatest shortage is expected precisely among salespeople, where open positions could rise to more than 40,000. Young people, Tideman adds, are choosing skilled trades too rarely, which further deepens the problem. At the top of the list of occupations with a pronounced shortage are also educators and medical staff, with thousands of unfilled positions.

Despite the projected growth in the number of employees among preschool educators, estimates show that this will not be enough to meet demand. Due to digitalization, an increase in the need for IT experts is also expected, while in the metal industry and banking a significant decline in the number of qualified workers is forecast, which is linked to automation and the closure of traditional jobs.