BERLIN — Growth headwinds plaguing Europe’s biggest economy, the German Chamber of Commerce (DIHK) said on Thursday that more than half of German companies are struggling to fill vacancies due to a shortage of skilled workers. is the latest sign of
A DIHK survey of 22,000 companies found that the percentage of companies experiencing hiring difficulties is at an all-time high, with 53% reporting talent shortages.
“We can assume that about two million vacancies remain unfilled,” said Achim Dercks, deputy chief executive officer of DIHK, and the company had over output of nearly €100 billion.
A resilient labor market does not mean businesses are doing well, he added. Labor shortages, soaring energy prices and a shift to climate neutrality were a “dangerous combination” that could cause companies to move production overseas.
Workers with the relevant skills are increasingly in short supply, including in the manufacturing sector, the engine room of Germany’s export giant, he said.
According to the study, 67% of electrical equipment manufacturers were unable to fill vacancies, and 67% of mechanical engineering companies were unable to fill vacancies. In car manufacturing, 65% of companies report labor shortages.
