Signs are increasing that Germany has faced a shortage of working people, according to the survey by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). Meanwhile, there are over 1 million job openings.
According to the IAB, job openings came to around 1.2 million, with demand for new staff rising particularly sharply in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and construction.
Western Germany has been hardest hit with the shortfall in the labor force. Around 940,000 vacancies were distributed there, with only about 270,000 job offers recorded in Eastern Germany.
Labor shortages were especially noticeable among companies with less than 9 employees. The lack of applicants was seen as the key reason for the difficulties associated with recruiting staff, followed by insufficient job qualifications.