Summary
Germany faces a critical shortage of health-care workers, with 47,400 unfilled positions in 2023/2024, particularly for physiotherapists (11,600 vacancies), dental assistants (7,350), and nursing staff (7,100), according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW).
The aging population is driving increased health-care demand, with those aged 65+ projected to rise from 21% to 29% by 2030.
The study highlights a broader labor market issue, with over 530,000 skilled worker vacancies across all industries, including 42,000 in construction-related fields.
The shortage is not due to an aging population, it’s because nobody wants to go into this field.
And that is due to the pay not reflecting the extreme exploitation of the workers, in an environment that’s not very conducive to a happy life. They all end up burnt out and have nothing to show for it.
They tried keeping the pay down by hiring Eastern European medical personnel, who would work below their qualifications (doctors as nurses for example), but apparently they don’t want to work here anymore.
The problem has been going on for such a long time it is now systemic.
Seriously, “aging population”?
Must be the German equivalent of “nObOdY wAnTs To WoRk AnYmOrE”
Oh no, we have that one too.
What you say is true, but so is an ageing population.
An ageing population does result in more demand and less workers.