East German companies are struggling with labor shortages and the energy crisis!

East German companies are struggling with labor shortages and the energy crisis!

East German companies are currently faced with a significant labor shortage. According to the Transformation Barometer 2025, a comprehensive survey of 1,500 companies, over 50% of the companies surveyed stated that they are urgently looking for new employees. These results were recently presented at the East German Economic Forum in Bad Saarow, which took place on May 16, 2025. The survey ran from March 3 to April 26, 2025 and included companies from the federal states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

One company that is looking for employees, for example, is Daimler Truck in Halberstadt, Saxony-Anhalt. Nevertheless, the survey results show that it is not just the labor shortage that is a challenge. Around 40% of companies see political radicalization in East Germany as a further location risk. High energy prices are also perceived as a serious challenge by 34.3% of those surveyed.

Skepticism towards the government

A key result of the survey shows that companies have little confidence in the new black-red federal government. 58.2% of those surveyed do not believe that the federal government is able to provide effective stimulus for growth. The companies express clear wishes to strengthen the business location: 68% are calling for a reduction in bureaucracy, while 54.4% are aiming for a reduction in energy prices.

The majority of companies are skeptical as to whether the government can live up to their expectations of growth policy. This concern leads companies to view energy policy challenges and bureaucratic hurdles as obstacles to positive economic development.

Political reactions

Both Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) are expected at the East German Economic Forum. Your political representatives present could initiate a dialogue with companies to address the problems raised and discuss possible solutions.

Overall, it can be said that the labor shortage and uncertainties in the political and economic environment represent major challenges for the East German economy. The results of the 2025 Transformation Barometer highlight the need for action at both a political and economic level to meet the needs of companies in this region.

For more information, see Deutschlandfunk and Free press.