Labor Market: One in Five Foreign Employees in Saxony Works in Shortage Occupations

In Saxony, Germany, a significant portion of the foreign workforce is concentrated in critical sectors experiencing labor shortages. Data reveals that nearly one in five foreign employees, totaling around 28,000 out of 154,000, work in these high-demand professions. This situation underscores the vital role international workers play in filling essential positions within the state's economy.

The identified shortage occupations span various fields, with notable numbers of foreign specialists employed in gastronomy, nursing, and electrical engineering. Specifically, approximately 8,000 foreign workers are in the hospitality sector, 5,100 in nursing, and 2,600 in electrical engineering roles, according to the Federal Employment Agency. These figures highlight the diverse contributions of foreign nationals across different industries.

Zada Salihovic, a member of the Bundestag for the Left Party, emphasized the indispensability of these foreign employees to the labor market. "Hospitals, care facilities, craft businesses, or industry would long since no longer function in many places without these employees," she stated. Salihovic pointed out that in her constituency, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, more than a quarter of international specialists work in shortage occupations, a proportion higher than anywhere else in Saxony.

Looking ahead, projections for the entire German labor market indicate a continued high demand for international specialists. By 2029, an estimated 4.81 million job openings are expected, while the number of individuals entering the workforce through education or immigration is projected to be about 440,000 fewer. This forecast suggests that the reliance on foreign talent will likely increase to meet future labor needs.

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Hospitals, care facilities, craft businesses, or industry would long since no longer function in many places without these employees.