Is the skilled worker shortage a lie?

Germany has been grappling with the term "skills shortage " for years. Politicians, business representatives, and societal institutions such as academia and public administration repeat almost daily that the country lacks qualified workers . However, a closer look at the figures and experience from legal practice reveals a more nuanced picture.

There are currently around three million unemployed people in Germany. A significant proportion of them possess specialized skills or even academic degrees. At the same time, in our legal practice, we regularly encounter cases of highly qualified foreign professionals who cannot find suitable employment for years . This suggests that the skills shortage is not widespread, but rather selectively affects certain occupational fields or qualification profiles. Particularly in sectors like IT , it is evident that despite supposedly high demand, the search for qualified employees remains difficult.

What does "skills shortage" actually mean?

A key problem lies in the definition. Skills shortages are often not understood as a general lack of qualified individuals, but rather as a lack of specific qualifications or performance profiles. The search isn't simply for skilled workers, but for those with specific grades, degrees, or special abilities. For applicants, this means that their chances in the job market depend heavily on subjective criteria that don't necessarily correlate with actual qualifications or experience.

Why is the shortage of skilled workers often portrayed as a larger problem?

The motives for overemphasizing the skilled worker shortage can be manifold. Politicians use the issue to raise their profile or occupy political niches. The media reports on it because the skilled worker shortage generates attention and provides content. Science and administration, in turn, secure funding by addressing the topic in research and studies. And companies benefit by maintaining job postings to demonstrate their growth and attractiveness to investors – even if these positions don't actually need to be filled.

Conclusion: Skilled worker shortage in light of reality

For skilled foreign workers who want to come to Germany, this is an important realization. Job market opportunities depend not only on demand, but also on whether one's qualifications match the sometimes unrealistic expectations of companies and institutions. As a lawyer, I recommend examining realistic prospects when considering labor migration and focusing specifically on professional fields where one's skills are actually in demand – regardless of the public debate about a supposed skills shortage.