The chronic shortage of skilled workers in Germany has slightly decreased in recent months as companies are hiring less due to economic weakness, a new IFO survey published on Wednesday showed.
Less than 34 percent of companies reported finding too few qualified workers, down from 35 percent in April, the IFO Institute’s survey showed.
– The weakening economy is currently also reducing the demand for skilled labor – said Klaus Wohlrabe from the institute.
In the industry, one in four companies reported difficulties in finding staff, as well as in the retail and construction sectors. Service providers no longer lack labor, and in logistics, nearly two-thirds of companies are looking for suitable candidates.
Temporary employment agencies, legal and tax advisors, and auditors have all reported similar challenges in finding qualified employees.
The German economy is weakening, with gross domestic product (GDP) falling by 0.1 percent on a quarterly basis in the second quarter.
In July, the number of unemployed rose to 2.8 million, while the number of job vacancies fell to 703,000.
However, Wohlrabe warns that due to demographic changes and an aging population in Germany, the share of the working-age population is decreasing, so the shortage of skilled workers will be permanent and will strengthen again in the future.
