Science & Tech · AI · 15 hrs ago
AI-related jobs grew overall in Germany, but young workers lost ground
A German study found employment trends differed by age in jobs where AI could take on many tasks.
Across these jobs, employment grew more than in less AI-exposed fields between 2022 and 2025.
But full-time employment among workers aged 20 to 29 fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Researchers called this an early warning for young people, not proof that AI caused the decline.
They said Germany’s weak economy has hurt young workers’ job prospects more than new technology so far.
Experienced workers may have an advantage using AI, while remote work can make it harder for newcomers to learn on the job.
The risks appear greatest for young workers without academic training, especially in manufacturing.
The researchers said these changes should be monitored beyond 2025.
An IAB study found that employment in German jobs with high potential for AI use grew more than in less exposed jobs overall between 2022 and 2025.
Full-time employment among workers aged 20 to 29 fell by 1.2 percentage points in the high-exposure group, while older age groups saw stronger growth.
Researchers said the weak economy had harmed young people’s job prospects more than digitalisation so far.
The study identified possible barriers for young entrants, including the advantage of experienced workers and difficulties with onboarding in remote-friendly jobs.
The findings do not establish that AI use caused the employment decline, and the study did not assess whether companies had actually adopted the technology.
- Who
- Germany’s Institute for Employment Research (IAB) examined employment patterns, with particular attention to young workers.
- What
- The study found that employment in jobs with high potential for AI use grew overall, but full-time employment among 20- to 29-year-olds in that group fell by 1.2 percentage points.
- When
- The study examined developments from 2022 to 2025. Its results were reported on October 13 and 14, 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Researchers said the weak economy was the main factor behind young people’s employment decline; they also pointed to possible advantages for experienced workers and onboarding challenges in remote-friendly jobs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The study examined employment trends in jobs with differing potential for AI use during this period.
Bloomberg HT and n-tv reported the IAB study’s findings.
WirtschaftsWoche published an article about the study and young people’s job prospects.
- Study data
- Monthly data on an average of 22.3 million full-time employees covered by social insurance
- Age 20–29
- Full-time employment in high-AI-potential jobs fell by 1.2 percentage points
- Age 30–39
- Employment growth was about 6 percentage points higher in high-AI-potential jobs
- Age 40–64
- Employment growth was about 5 percentage points higher in high-AI-potential jobs
- Economically weakened sectors
- Youth employment fell by 4.2 percent
3 sources
What people are saying
Especially the economic weakness of recent years was the main factor in the decline in youth employment. The impact of digitalisation ranked much lower. Youth employment in economically weakened sectors fell by 4.2 percent.
Our analyses draw attention to non-academic occupations and the manufacturing sector. In both manufacturing and non-academic fields, a direct link stands out between high technology intensity and negative employment trends among 20- to 29-year-olds.
High technological impact does not necessarily mean weak employment performance, but this dynamic process will remain a critical factor that needs to be closely monitored beyond 2025.