Perspectives on the eastern German labour market : Population, labour force potential and skilled labour requirement

Abstract

Birthrate deficits, and especially a negative migration balance, is causing the eastern German population to age more quickly and is also making the western German population contract. In some regions and partial labour markets, there are bottlenecks in well-trained workers, also caused by a serious lack of young workers. Intensive efforts to train the whole potential of the labour force could counteract this development. In doing this, two aims must be in the foreground: an increase in the level of qualifications; and orientation to future requirements. If this does not happen, the eastern part of Germany will get caught up in a vortex consisting of low income, minimal investment, a further drop in the attractivity of locations, and a continually dropping number of citizens. Among other things, the participation of women in paid working life and the potential of older workers should be more strongly taken advantage of. (IAB)

Cite article

Buscher, H., Kubis, A., Pelzel, F., Schneider, L., Stops, M. & Walwei, U. (2011): Perspektiven auf dem ostdeutschen Arbeitsmarkt: Bevölkerung, Erwerbspersonenpotenzial und Fachkräftebedarf. In: Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung Halle (Hrsg.) (2011): Wirtschaftlicher Stand und Perspektiven für Ostdeutschland : Studie im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums des Innern (IWH-Sonderheft, 2011,02), p. 74-80.