By 2049, there will probably be a shortage of between 280,000 and 690,000 nursing staff, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on Wednesday in its forecast. This means that the need for employed nursing staff – starting from 1.62 million in the pre-Corona year 2019 – is expected to increase by a third to 2.15 million by 2049. However, experts say the gap can be narrowed with improved working conditions, automation and immigration. “The nursing sector is in fact one of those with the strongest bottlenecks,” said Enzo Weber from the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research (IAB) to the Reuters news agency. “And he will be in a bind because as he ages the need increases.” At the same time, the workforce potential is declining. Especially in stressful jobs, employees would leave working life early. “The key here is to design working conditions and job profiles in such a way that it is possible to stay in the job.” Automation could also bring significant relief – less for the work with people themselves than for administrative tasks. Artificial intelligence can save a lot of time and enable concentration on core activities. “Immigration has already been an important channel for meeting care needs and is becoming even more important in view of demographic developments,” said Weber, making another point. However, the potential in the EU is limited. It is crucial for people from third countries that they can also use their opportunities in Germany. “We must be able to recognize and further develop competencies that are somewhat differently oriented in Germany.”
Up to 690,000 nursing staff needed in the next 25 years – Economy
