The shortage of skilled workers in care and education professions in Germany remains severe, according to a study, and experts warn that the situation could worsen significantly.
Caregivers, educators, and social workers are in short supply across Germany. According to an analysis, around 133,000 open positions in health and social professions cannot be filled with suitably qualified unemployed workers. This data comes from a study conducted by the Competence Center for Securing Skilled Labor (Kofa) of the employer-affiliated Institute of the German Economy (IW). The figures are based on the 2023 annual average.
Almost a quarter of the total skilled labor shortage in the economy is in these sectors. Although the shortage has recently eased slightly, the situation remains “very tense” and could worsen significantly in the coming years, according to study author and expert Jurek Tiedemann.
Largest gap in early childhood education
The greatest shortage is in early childhood education. With nearly 21,000 skilled workers missing on average last year, there is a nationwide shortfall of about 300,000 childcare places. A structural problem in health and social professions exacerbates this issue: more than 80 percent of the workforce is female, and more than half work part-time—often because the lack of skilled workers forces them to do so.
“Working mothers often reduce their hours to fill gaps in childcare,” said Tiedemann. Providing sufficient childcare is crucial to increasing the working hours of both mothers and fathers.
Forecast: At least 280,000 additional caregivers needed by 2049
The situation is similarly challenging in social work, pedagogy, and health care, including nursing and elder care. People whose relatives cannot be cared for due to a lack of skilled workers are only partially available to the labor market, according to Tiedemann. The aging population is expected to increase the demand for these services. The Federal Statistical Office estimates that at least 280,000 additional caregivers will be needed by 2049.
There are some positive trends, according to the experts. The number of new training contracts for nurses and educators is the highest among all vocational training programs, according to the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training. However, the study finds that the demand for qualified personnel is growing faster than the supply of new skilled workers.
To counter the skilled labor shortage, the study recommends further increasing incentives for training in health and social professions. Directly addressing male workers could also help overcome gender stereotypes and attract more men to careers in health or social work, Tiedemann suggested.
