Alarming Warning: Personnel Shortage Threatens Public Administration with a “Gradual Blackout,” Says Industry Leader. An estimated 230,000 workers will be needed by 2030.
The warning comes from the Cities and Municipalities Association, highlighting that “the shortage of personnel will severely impact public service operations, especially at the municipal level and could push essential services to the brink of collapse,” stated a key official.
In precise terms, it was noted that more than 100,000 positions in municipalities remain unfilled due to a lack of available personnel. “Over the next decade, nearly 500,000 of the approximately 1.65 million employees in municipalities will retire,” the official elaborated. The result is projected to be a shortage of 230,000 workers by 2030.
Threat of a “Gradual Blackout”
Without swift and decisive action, significant repercussions for citizens and the overall stability of Germany are anticipated. This situation is being referred to as a “gradual blackout.”
The impacts will extend beyond government agencies and the processing times for applications: “In the next five years, for example, over 50,000 bus drivers are expected to retire, and there is already a shortage of more than 100,000 skilled workers in daycare facilities.”
Criticism of Hesitations Towards AI
A portion of the solution is seen in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, with criticism directed at Germany’s hesitance regarding digitalization. “If digitalization continues to progress at a snail’s pace in Germany, we are willfully jeopardizing our future opportunities.”
Additionally, there are calls for flexible working models and a reorganization of tasks to make public service employment more appealing.
