Without employees from abroad, the shortages in the German labour market would be even more pronounced. For many years, the rising employment level in Germany has been driven exclusively by foreign workers. A new analysis by the Federal Employment Agency (BA) shows that without foreign citizens, between September 2023 and September 2024, the total number of people in employment in Germany would have fallen by 209,000. In terms of employees subject to social insurance contributions, this would mark a decrease of 164,000.
Syrian citizens make an important contribution to rising employment levels
According to extrapolated figures, in September 2024 287,000 Syrian citizens were working in Germany, 236,000 of whom were in jobs subject to social insurance contributions. Accordingly, 23,000 more Syrians were employed in positions subject to social insurance contributions than one year prior. Approximately 10 percent of the total increase in the employment of foreign citizens in September 2024 compared with the previous year was due to the increase in the employment of Syrian citizens. Syrian citizens now make up the third largest group of foreign residents in Germany, after 1.54 million Turkish citizens and 1.33 million Ukrainian citizens.
Employment rate among Syrian citizens continues to increase
The employment rate among Syrian citizens has risen by more than 30 percentage points since 2016 to 42 percent in September 2024, and is steadily approaching the average employment rate for foreign residents in Germany (56 percent). However, the employment rate does not take into account the length of time Syrian citizens have lived in Germany. The rates of employment among younger groups of foreign citizens are generally lower due to the shorter length of their stays, and only increase as the amount of time they have spent in Germany goes up. Approximately one third of Syrian citizens in Germany have only been living here since 2021.
Syrian citizens in shortage occupations
In May 2024, two fifths (54,000) of all Syrian citizens employed in skilled jobs subject to social insurance contributions were employed in shortage occupations. This trend is on the rise.
Of all Syrian citizens employed in shortage occupations, approximately 4,200 (3.2%) are employed in automotive engineering occupations, 3,600 (2.8%) as bus or tram drivers, 3,200 (2.4%) in nursing occupations, 3,100 (2.4%) as lorry drivers and 2,600 (2.0%) as dental assistants.
More information can be found in the report on the
labour market situation for Syrian citizens