The labour market in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector: caught between economic weakness and structural change

The labour market for specialists in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) remains dynamic. For one thing, the ongoing economic downturn is weighing on the job market. On the other hand, these professions are undergoing structural change, which is leading to an increase in the demands placed on them and the need for new skills.

03.07.2026 | Press release no.24

“The labour market in the information and communications technology sector is characterised by conflicting trends”, explains Andrea Nahles, Chair of the Executive Board of the Federal Employment Agency of Germany (BA). “The current economic slowdown is, admittedly, dampening recruitment momentum in the short term. At the same time, sector-specific structural change driven by advancing digitalisation, automation and the use of new AI technologies is ensuring that the level of skill required for these professions is rising. The following applies to all professionals in this sector: continuous professional development is the key to remaining in long-term employment in this changing environment."

Number of advertised vacancies continues to fall, unemployment rate rises

In 2025, the BA had around 13,000 job vacancies on its books. Compared with the previous year, this represents a fall of 22 per cent. The current economic slowdown is having an impact on the job market: not only has the number of start-ups in the ICT sector fallen in recent years, but since 2024 fewer new ICT projects have also been implemented within companies. The sector-specific unemployment rate in the ICT sector rose from 3.7 to 4.5 per cent.

Structural change: employment growth despite economic weakness

This stands in contrast to the economic downturn: despite the economic slowdown, 1.15 million ICT professionals were in employment subject to social security contributions in 2025, two per cent more than in the previous year. This employment growth goes hand in hand with an increasing trend towards higher education in these professions, as there is particular demand for specialists and experts. In particular, the impact of new technologies and AI is fundamentally changing the requirements. Highly qualified experts are hardly affected by unemployment (unemployment rate: 3.5 per cent). Opportunities in the ICT labour market therefore grow in direct proportion to the increasing level of requirements. The search is primarily focused on experts, who accounted for over 40 per cent of the 39,000 new jobs. One in three job vacancies was also aimed at specialists.

Ensuring that the demand for specialists is met, including through foreign talent

In order to meet the demand for specialists in the long term, companies are also reliant on foreign workers, who have contributed significantly to employment growth in recent years. The number of foreign ICT specialists has more than tripled since 2015, reaching a new high of 171,000 employees subject to social security contributions in 2025. Among workers from outside the EU, the largest group in terms of numbers comprises around 31,000 specialists from India.

Further information can be found in the latest labour market report for ICTprofessions (available in German).