Rising number of foreigners with temporary residence permits for work in Germany

German labor market attractiveness is growing: The number of foreign workers in Germany has risen by almost a fifth, according to new statistics from the Federal Statistical Office.

Wiesbaden, May 2, 2024 - The number of foreigners with temporary residence permits for employment in Germany has risen sharply, according to a press release from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). At the end of 2023, around 419,000 people from countries outside the EU were recorded, which corresponds to an increase of almost a fifth compared to the previous year.

"EU Blue Card" dominates temporary employment migration

Among the various residence permits for employment-based migration, the "EU Blue Card" was the most frequently used. The increasing number of foreign academics who have received an EU Blue Card or a residence permit for skilled workers with an academic education illustrates Germany's attractiveness for highly qualified skilled workers. With 113,000 people holding an EU Blue Card and a further 49,000 with a residence permit for academics, this talent pool brings not only expertise but also fresh perspectives to the country's research and innovation landscape.

Men continue to dominate labor migration, especially among people who have a residence permit under the Western Balkans regulation or an EU Blue Card. Academics and skilled workers with vocational training from countries outside the EU also received an increasing number of residence permits for gainful employment.

Demand for workers from Western Balkan countries

There was a particularly noticeable increase of 22% in the number of people with a residence permit under the Western Balkans regulation. This regulation allows nationals from certain Western Balkan countries to work in Germany for a limited period of time. The largest proportion came from Kosovo.

Demographic characteristics

Most people with a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment were male and aged between 25 and 35. However, women predominated among skilled workers with vocational training. Overall, the proportion of women in employment migration increased slowly.

Additional information on labor migration from Ukraine

Although Ukrainians made up a small proportion of labor migration, there were around 1.2 million Ukrainians living in Germany at the end of 2023, most of whom had a humanitarian residence permit and were therefore allowed to work.

Germany remains popular for skilled workers

The statistics show a clear trend: Germany remains a popular destination for foreign workers, especially for highly qualified specialists.

The increasing number of foreign workers with temporary residence permits for employment in Germany contributes significantly to the diversity and dynamism of the startup ecosystem. Startups often rely on highly qualified talent to drive innovative ideas and enable growth. The increase in skilled workers from abroad, especially those with academic qualifications, offers startups a broader selection of talent and expertise. This can help reduce bottlenecks in certain industries and encourage innovation. In addition, the diversity of the workforce can strengthen the creative potential and international orientation of startups, which in turn increases their competitiveness on the global market.