You’d have had to have been living under a rock for the past few months to not be aware of the economic downturn forecast and the rising inflation. In times of economic uncertainty, one thing that everyone wants to be sure of is that their jobs will still be there for them tomorrow. Or that if you are entering a new field, like many of our Ironhack students are, you want to know that there will be a job for you at all.
But are things really as doom and gloom as news anchors might have you believe? Certainly, we are all feeling the pinch and have noticed those extra expenses adding up on our weekly grocery shop. However, when it comes to tech, things might be a bit brighter than you originally thought.
The German tech job market has surprisingly been booming through this rather bleak period. In 2022, it saw substantial growth and we forecast that will continue to grow as the years pass. And with tech giants such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft making headlines with their layoffs in the US, it's only natural that if you are working in tech you will be wondering if those kinds of layoffs will make their way to Germany.
No one can predict the future, but with Germany's strong economy and highly educated workforce, it has become a prime destination for technology companies looking to expand their operations in Europe. This has led to a growing demand for tech talent in various fields– including everything from cybersecurity to UI/UX design.
To help you better understand the current state of the German tech job market and what the future might hold for it, we’ve put together this summary. Below, review our snapshot of how the German tech job market is growing and what the future of work will look like. We will also explore the areas where there is the highest demand for tech talent in Germany, the skills that are most in demand, and the opportunities available for those looking to start or advance their career in tech.
Growth in the German Tech Industry
The German tech market is experiencing incredible growth with the industry expected to reach a staggering value of $133.02 billion in 2026.
These figures seem almost too good to be true, but trust us, we double-checked them. So, just how is Germany's tech job market thriving when some other nations and industries are slowing down?
For a start, Germany is one of the biggest tech centers in Europe. And here’s the proof:
German tech venture capital investment is second in Europe
City-wise, Berlin ranks second for venture capital tech investment in Europe, behind only London
There were 96,000 unfilled IT jobs in Germany in 2021 and the demand is only rising
In 2022, Q4 tech job postings in Germany exceeded those of key countries in Europe by over 300% on average
If you're looking to make your start in a tech career, Germany is one of the best places to do it.
The Future of Tech Jobs in Germany in 2024–and Beyond
With such large investment in tech and numerous tech giants setting up their headquarters in cities such as Berlin and Munich, a skills shortage has emerged. In July last year, staff shortages hit almost half of all organizations surveyed by the Munich-based research institute IFO, forcing them to slow down their operations.
While a slowing economy may force some companies to increase efficiencies or slow down hiring, for many IT will be the last department to be affected. With digital transformation on the mind of every C-suite executive across Europe, many companies will still prioritize hiring for tech roles.
Currently, Germany lags behind many nations in terms of technology specialists, making businesses eager to snatch up any talent that lands in their interview room. The shortage of skilled workers has risen to a new high in Germany, affecting 49.7% of companies in July. The new level is much higher than the previous record.
“More and more companies are having to cut back on business because they simply can’t find enough staff,” says Stefan Sauer, a labor market expert at the IFO Institute. With organizations of all kinds looking to hire tech staff, what skills are most in demand? Let’s discuss.
Skills to land a tech job
Overall, Germany has a vast pool of well-trained and experienced tech talent to choose from. However, the demand for tech roles and digital skills outweighs the supply. For example, 41% of IT companies in a Bitkom survey reported that they were looking to hire software developers. It's clear that Germany needs more technology experts who can fill the myriad of jobs created in this sector every year.
One of the biggest areas of growth in the German tech job market is in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). German companies are leading the way in developing and implementing AI technologies, and there is a high demand for professionals with skills in areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
German Tech Opportunities
The country's skilled workforce, supportive government policies, and thriving startup ecosystem make it an attractive destination for tech professionals looking for new opportunities. Ironhack’s bootcamps can help you get the hands-on skills you need to land a job in the growing tech industry and be part of any company's workforce.
We provide students with a highly focused, intensive education taught by experienced industry professionals. We also provide a great network of alumni and partners in the industry to help students connect with potential employers and find job opportunities after completing their bootcamp.
If you're looking to make a career change, upskill, or even start a new job in the tech industry, Ironhack’s bootcamps are a perfect choice. Check out our different courses (and new AI School!) and kickstart your tech career.
