According to a study, high rents in major German cities are a hurdle for companies in the struggle for skilled workers. According to a survey by the auditing firm PwC, many people see expensive housing as a key disadvantage of life in the big city. So much so that a third are thinking about changing jobs because of high rents – a small minority actually move because of this. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for employers in metropolitan areas to find and retain skilled workers,” the authors conclude.
In addition, employees have high expectations of employers to provide financial help because of the high housing costs. For the study, 4,200 working people in Germany between the ages of 18 and 65 from twelve major cities were surveyed online on behalf of PwC in the fall – including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Essen, Leipzig and Hanover. According to the information, the study was representative.
Result: The vast majority of people rate life in the big city as pleasant – for example the job opportunities, short commutes, shopping opportunities and educational and cultural offerings. Around nine out of ten working people feel comfortable where they live. But at the same time, almost two thirds are dissatisfied with rents, the costs of home ownership and the number of available rental apartments. Almost 90 percent have the feeling that finding an affordable apartment in big cities is “just a matter of luck”. The housing market in Stuttgart and Munich is perceived as particularly difficult.