KfW Research: KfW-ifo skilled workers barometer – shortage of skilled workers is happening
due to the weak economy, but remains a challenge
Frankfurt am Main (ots) –
– Level remains historically high
– 39% of German companies experience disruption to their business activities
lack of specialist staff
– Service industry affected disproportionately
The shortage of skilled workers in Germany has decreased due to the economic weakness:
In October 2023, 39% of companies in the KfW-ifo skilled workers barometer will report one
Impediment to your business activities due to a lack of skilled personnel – these are 4
Percentage points less than in July, the time of the last survey, and 11
Percentage points less than in July 2022, when the shortage of skilled workers was at its previous level
High since the start of the survey. Despite this significant decline,
The shortage of skilled workers is still at a very high level compared to historical standards
and thus continues to be a challenge for the economy.
Overall, small and medium-sized companies are affected just as often
large, both size classes report a share of 39% each. Exist regionally
significant differences. The companies in East Germany are at 44%
Companies are most often affected by a shortage of skilled workers
Northern Germany, however, has the least at 33%.
Due to the economic slowdown, the shortage of skilled workers has increased
significantly reduced in industry. 29% of companies from the
Manufacturing industries are currently complaining about a lack of skilled personnel (July 2023:
35%, July 2022 45%). This is the lowest value among the
main economic sectors. The proportion of service providers is 45%
highest. In retail, 33% of companies report a shortage of skilled workers,
With 39%, retail is significantly more affected than wholesale
(28%). In the construction industry, 29% of companies see themselves as lacking
Skilled workers restricted in their production.
If you look deeper into the sectors, you can see that it is particularly strong at the moment
Legal and tax advisors and auditors face a shortage of skilled workers
feel: With 77% of companies affected, the industry is reaching its previous level
Maximum value. Land transport companies (road, rail) also report 64%
a proportion well above average. More than 50% of those affected were in the
Gastronomy, in the accommodation industry, among architectural and engineering offices
as well as in building and garden maintenance. It has decreased significantly
On the other hand, there is a shortage of skilled workers in the textile industry (11%), among others
chemical industry (16%), furniture manufacturing (20%) and in the
Automotive industry (26%).
“The proportion of companies that are losing their business due to a shortage of skilled workers
hampered by the economic slowdown for the first time in two
fell below the 40% mark again in the last few years,” says Dr. Fritzi Köhler-Geib,
Chief economist at KfW. “If the economic situation develops as expected
improved next year, but it will also increase again. Because the
Structural trend remains: more and more baby boomers are retiring
Lesser age groups are moving up in the labor market. 2025 will be the number of
The number of people in employment is beginning to shrink and there is a new shortage of skilled workers
phase.” In the longer term, the lower labor supply could
Limit economic growth to well below 1%. However, they would have
Companies, the state and the working population have it in their hands
to counteract. “Determined, rapid countermeasures are required
all the adjusting screws. A greater increase is necessary
Participation of women and older workers in the labor market and increased participation
Immigration of skilled workers from countries outside the EU. Also have to
Companies and administrations can increase labor productivity more
lack of workers digitalization and replace automation.”
The current KfW-ifo skilled worker barometer is available at:
KfW-ifo skilled workers barometer | KfW (https://www.kfw.de/%C3%9Cber-die-KfW/Service/
Download Center/Group Topics/Research/Indicators/KfW-ifo-Fachkr%C3%A4ftebarome
ter/)
Press contact:
KfW, Palmengartenstr. 5 – 9, 60325 Frankfurt
Group Communications & Brand Management (KK), Christine Volk,
Tel. +49 (0)69 7431 3867, Fax: +49 (0)69 7431 3266,
E-mail: mailto:[email protected], Internet: http://www.kfw.de
Further material: http://presseportal.de/pm/41193/5682497
OTS: KfW