Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Germany's Growing Dependence on Foreign Workers
Germany needs more foreign workers because there aren't enough people in the country to do all the jobs.
This is happening because many people in Germany are getting older and retiring, and there aren't enough young people to replace them.
The country has a lot of machines and technology, but without enough workers, these can't be used to their full potential.
So, Germany is relying on people from other countries to come and work, helping to keep the economy growing.
Without these foreign workers, Germany might struggle to produce enough goods and services to support its population.
The number of foreign-born workers in Germany has increased by 30% in the last five years, reaching 5.4 million.
Foreign-born workers now make up 16.2% of the German workforce, up from 9% in 2015.
Germany's economic growth is constrained by a declining labor force due to low fertility rates and an aging population.
The German workforce is aging, with 23% of workers aged 55 or older, leading to a structural labor shortage.
Germany's reliance on foreign labor is necessary to maintain economic growth and productive capacity.
- Who
- Germany
- What
- Increasing dependence on foreign workers due to labor shortages and demographic changes
- When
- Over the last five years, with projections extending to 2070
- Where
- Germany
- Why
- Declining domestic labor force, low fertility rates, and aging population
- Foreign-born workers in Germany
- 5.4 million (up from 4.1 million in 5 years)
- Percentage of foreign-born workers in workforce
- 16.2% (up from 9% in 2015)
- Germany's median population age
- 45.5 years
- Germany's fertility rate
- 1.35 births per woman
- Projected decrease in working-age population by 2070
- Up to 37%
- Percentage of workers aged 55 or older
- 23%
- Dependency ratio (65+ to working age)
- 1:3 (expected to worsen to 1:2 by 2035)