Eastern Germany seeks skilled workers despite high unemployment
The region is simultaneously facing unfilled vacancies, an ageing population and a mismatch between training and jobs.
Companies in eastern Germany are seeking skilled workers while parts of the region have relatively high numbers of jobseekers. According to German labour-market data, this is mainly a mismatch between training, location and the jobs employers are offering.
The contrast emerged in an analysis by Tagesschau around German Unity Day. The labour market in the east has improved since reunification, but the differences with the west have not disappeared. Industry, healthcare and technical occupations in particular are struggling to find staff.
The Bundesagentur für Arbeit counted 157 occupational groups with a shortage of skilled workers in Germany in 2025. That was six fewer than a year earlier, but the agency still describes the shortage as considerable. The weak economy is restraining demand in the short term, while the ageing population is increasing staff shortages in the longer term.
The problem is not simply a lack of people. Jobseekers do not always have the qualifications companies need, live near the available jobs or seek work in other sectors. As a result, unemployment and unfilled vacancies can exist alongside each other.
In healthcare, dependence on workers of foreign nationality has clearly increased, according to the labour agency. Since June 2024, the number of workers of German nationality in many skilled occupations has fallen by approximately 5,000, while the number of workers of foreign nationality has risen by 46,000. These are national figures, not figures for the east alone.
Researchers point to investment in research, innovation and education in eastern Germany. Attracting workers from other countries could also help, but migration is politically contentious in parts of the region. According to experts, industry and healthcare in particular will continue to face staff shortages without sufficient inflows.
There are opportunities for companies at the same time. Lower housing costs and new jobs in places such as Cottbus could attract workers, but regional development requires more than vacancies alone. Transport links, childcare, training opportunities and an attractive social climate also help determine whether workers settle permanently.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Germany still has many occupational groups with shortages.
- Eastern Germany has both unemployment and unfilled vacancies.
- Foreign workers have become more important in several shortage sectors.
Left
Arguments The solution lies in better wages, public services, affordable housing and safe labour migration. Employers should invest in workers instead of placing the main burden of shortages on migrants.
Values Social equality, workers' rights and public services.
Consequences This could make regions more attractive, but requires public and private investment and would not produce immediate results.
Centre
Arguments The figures mainly point to a mismatch. Training, regional mobility, recognition of foreign qualifications and targeted migration could together reduce the problem.
Values Pragmatism, labour-market functioning and equal opportunities.
Consequences A combination of measures spreads risks, but requires long-term cooperation between government, education and businesses.
Right
Arguments Companies and regions should first provide better training for and activate people who are already available. Migration can be complementary, but must not become a substitute for higher productivity and better organisation.
Values Personal responsibility, integration and economic efficiency.
Consequences Greater emphasis on training and automation could reduce dependence on inflows, but cannot resolve shortages everywhere in the short term.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The key figures come from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and the regional analysis from Tagesschau. The article distinguishes between national figures and the specific situation in eastern Germany.
- confirmed The Bundesagentur für Arbeit counted 157 occupational groups with a shortage of skilled workers in 2025. — Included in the official labour-market analysis. source
- confirmed The number of workers of German nationality fell by 5,000 and the number of workers of foreign nationality rose by 46,000 compared with June 2024. — These are national figures from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit's analysis. source
- confirmed Eastern Germany is simultaneously dealing with jobseekers and shortages of skilled workers. — Described in the regional Tagesschau analysis. source
Editor's note
The national figures and the regional analysis are well supported. The solutions mentioned are proposals from experts, not established effects.Sources
- Datenanalyse zeigt Ost-West-Unterschiede bis heute — Tagesschau
- Fachkräfte bleiben knapp: Zuwanderung gewinnt weiter an Bedeutung — Bundesagentur für Arbeit
- Berlin/Brandenburg: Fachkräfte sichern, bevor sie fehlen — Bundesagentur für Arbeit
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- NU.nl — „duitsland oost-duitsland”
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