People with severe disabilities are employed in particular in the manufacturing sector, public administration, the retail sector, and the health, care and social services sectors. Despite the rise in employment, the employment rate for people with severe disabilities is 50.9 per cent – still significantly lower than that of the population as a whole (77.2 per cent).
More businesses are meeting their employment obligations
39 per cent of the approximately 181,000 employers required to report in 2024 fully met their statutory employment obligations – more than half of them exceeding the prescribed target. A further 36 per cent (around 65,000 businesses) met their targets to some extent, whilst around a quarter (approximately 45,000) did not fill any of their mandatory vacancies. The number of businesses that do not employ people with severe disabilities has fallen recently.
The public sector has the highest compliance rate in this regard. The manufacturing sector, too, largely met its employment obligations; around 82 per cent fulfilled them either fully or in part. The proportion is also above average in the health and care sector.
Unemployment remains well above average
Last year, the unemployment rate for people with severe disabilities stood at 12.0 per cent, which was significantly higher than the average for the unemployed as a whole. Unemployment amongst people with severe disabilities has risen for the third year running – as has unemployment overall. In 2025, 185,000 people with severe disabilities or those treated as such were unemployed, an increase of 5.4 per cent, or 9,000, compared with the previous year. 52 per cent of unemployed people with severe disabilities have completed vocational training or hold an academic qualification – compared with 45 per cent of the unemployed as a whole.
“The latest figures show that, despite noticeable progress, there is still some way to go when it comes to the participation of people with severe disabilities in the labour market. Their employment prospects remain below average", stated Daniel Terzenbach, Director of Regions at the Federal Employment Agency of Germany. “At the same time, there is a considerable pool of specialists here that has not yet been fully utilised. Although unemployed people with severe disabilities are, on average, better qualified, they have fewer chances of finding new employment. The Federal Employment Agency of Germany supports people with severe disabilities and businesses with specific initiatives designed to further improve participation in working life and strengthen employment opportunities in the long term.”
Support services for inclusive employment
Every jobcentre employs trained Placement Officers who specialise in supporting people with severe disabilities. Our International and Specialized Services (ZAV) also offer a service for academics with severe disabilities. The Federal Employment Agency of Germany can also provide support through funding schemes designed to help people with severe disabilities enter training or employment.
There is also a wide range of support options available for businesses wishing to train, employ or provide further training for people with severe disabilities. This includes, for example, personalised workplace equipment such as technical aids for people with visual impairments, as well as training and integration grants for businesses. The Employer Service of the Federal Employment Agency of Germany provides support and advice to businesses on applying for financial benefits.
Further information can be found in the report The labour market situation for people with severe disabilities in 2025 published by the Federal Employment Agency (available in German only).