Germany - Changes in education and employment behaviour will mitigate skilled worker shortages

Statements regarding an impending shortage of skilled workers or even an overall shortage of labour have become standard feature in political discussions about the future of the German labour market. Model calculations of qualifications and occupational field projections conducted as part of the QuBe project carried out jointly by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the Federal Employment Agency's Institute for Employment Research (IAB) show that until 2030, there will be shortages in some occupational fields despite increased employment behaviour, particularly among women and older workers. At macroeconomic level, no serious shortages are to be expected at national level in coming years.