80,000 people from Syria work in shortage jobs in Germany

According to an analysis, a return of Syrian refugees to their homeland could have a negative impact on the German economy and increase the skills gap. Around 80,000 Syrians work in shortage jobs in this country, according to a study by the employer-related Institute of German Economics (IW).

Many people from Syria work in some professions that are particularly affected by the shortage of skilled workers. More than 4,000 recently worked as automotive mechatronics engineers. According to IW, almost seven out of ten vacancies in automotive technology cannot be filled with suitably qualified specialists.

A large number of Syrians can also be found in other shortage professions. According to statistics, there were around 2,470 employees subject to social security contributions in dentistry, 2,260 in child care and education and 2,160 in health and nursing care. Many people from Syria have climate-relevant jobs in construction electrical engineering (2,100) and plumbing, heating and air conditioning technology (1,570).

“Syrian employees are important for the German labor market. They make a significant contribution to cushioning the shortage of skilled workers in Germany,” said IW economist and study author Fabian Semsarha.

Many Syrians also work in other professions in Germany. There were currently around 5,300 employed doctors. Their return would worsen the shortage of skilled workers and lead to supply shortages, the study says.

From expert Semsarha’s point of view, the contribution of Syrian specialists is often underestimated in the discussion about a possible return home. “In many professions it will be difficult to fill positions if people leave the country.” Semsarha demands that the policy should offer working Syrians a secure perspective to stay.

According to the Federal Employment Agency, an average of 213,500 people of Syrian origin were employed subject to social security contributions in Germany between June 2023 and May 2024. Of these, 86,000 worked in unskilled jobs and 127,000 in qualified jobs for skilled workers with vocational training or studies. According to IW, another 155,000 or so are registered as unemployed and are immediately available for entry into the labor market.

People from the civil war-torn Syria form the second largest group of people seeking protection in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 712,000 of them were registered in the central register of foreigners in this country at the end of 2023.

The number of people with a Syrian immigration history is significantly larger than the number of Syrians seeking protection. According to the microcensus, almost 1.3 million people lived in Germany in 2023 who themselves (82 percent) or whose both parents (18 percent) immigrated from Syria. Around 17 percent of them had German citizenship.

According to the information, 42 percent of Syrians with an immigrant background of working age were employed. That’s comparatively little, as the statisticians explain. One reason is that a high proportion of the population with a Syrian immigrant background is still in education due to the low average age.