Germany turns to skilled migration as workforce ages

Berlin (ANTARA) - Germany is accelerating efforts to attract skilled foreign workers, including from Indonesia, as rapid population aging threatens its labor force. Bilateral programs aim to address worker shortages while expanding training and technology partnerships.

Like many industrialized nations, Germany faces a rapidly aging workforce as the baby boomer generation approaches retirement. The demographic shift is expected to reshape the country's labor market over the coming decades.

Within 15 years, Germany is projected to have one of the world's largest retiree populations from the baby boomer generation. By 2039, about 13.4 million people, or 31 percent of the workforce, are expected to retire.

The figures point to a long-term structural challenge, according to research presented by David Kipp, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, in Berlin on June 29.

He noted that Germany currently has a fertility rate of 1.3 children per woman, near a record low. This figure also reflects a shift from its peak around 2010, when the rate rose to 1.6.

Structurally, the need for skilled labor in one region differs from that in another region in Germany. He cited an example of the state of Thuringia, which is assumed to have a higher need for skilled labor than other regions in Germany.

With only 45 million people in the labor force currently registered, Germany will only have about 35 million people in the labor force if there is no net migration by 2060.

Therefore, Germany requires around 288,000 net migrants per year to maintain a stable workforce, particularly for the professional workforce in the health sector like nursing, social work, childcare, education, and also technical skills, particularly for the renewal of the transformation of the energy sector in Germany.

Kipp David also points to a decline in net migration of workers from European countries since 2012, including workers from Poland, Latvia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Estonia.

This decline increases the need for labor migration from non-EU countries, such as China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Turkey, Russia, and others.

Push for skilled labor migration

Amidst the demographic issues the country is currently experiencing, the Federal Foreign Office of Germany is encouraging skilled workers from all over the world, including Indonesia, to work and live in Germany.

"We want people to come. We need people. There's a political consensus in Germany about this. Throughout all political parties, skilled immigration is very welcome and is needed," said Dr. Martin Bergfelder, special representative for Skilled Immigration in the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, in Berlin, recently.

Germany is looking not just for those with good qualifications, but also for those who want to pursue vocational training or study abroad. Beyond just working, they are also expected to be able to live and build their lives in Germany.

The Federal Foreign Office and related institutions, such as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Goethe Institute, and German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), continue to promote accurate information about opportunities to work and live in Germany.

The German government encourages skilled workers to work in Germany as part of their strategy through bilateral relations with countries from around the world, including Indonesia.

Germany also continues to improve its bureaucracy to enhance immigration governance, including through the Work and Stay Agency, which provides a one-stop, digitalized service to simplify bureaucratic procedures and make them faster and more practical.

Basic factors like finding a place to live, finding schools for children, and connecting with social life are also a concern so that people who come to Germany get the support they need to integrate.

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Indonesia-Germany Global Skills Partnership (GSP)

Amidst Germany's need to encourage skilled workers to work in Germany, cooperation between Indonesia and Germany in the placement of skilled Indonesian workers in Germany has been strengthened through the Global Skills Partnership (GSP).

The partnership, agreed upon during the visit of the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Jakarta on June 15, 2026, focuses on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in human resource development.

In a bilateral meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the two governments officially agreed on a Letter of Intent (LoI) regarding the GSP, which focuses on the placement of skilled nursing workers.

Through this scheme, Indonesian healthcare workers will receive internationally recognized training before their departure, preparing them to compete in the German labor market, which has high qualification standards.

Besides the nursing sector, GSP collaboration also opens up opportunities for developing Indonesian talent in various sectors.

During the meeting, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto encouraged the German government to expand its commitment to cooperation in several sectors requiring high-tech expertise.

And the two leaders agreed to explore skills enhancement programs in the fields of high technology, digitalization, and green industry.

Through this collaboration, a comprehensive training program will be developed to align the competencies of Indonesian workers with the needs of the global industry.

Prabowo emphasized that strengthening this cooperation aligns with Indonesia's efforts to encourage technology transfer, improve human resource quality, and promote knowledge transfer when workers return to Indonesia.

Ultimately, the cooperation in placing skilled Indonesian workers in Germany is expected to provide a mutually beneficial solution for the economy and welfare of the people in both countries.

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Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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