Employment is expected to grow in only three states
The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) forecasts employment growth in 2027 only for Berlin at 0.7%, and Brandenburg and Lower Saxony at 0.1% each. Employment is expected to stagnate or decline elsewhere. For both western and eastern Germany overall, the forecast is a decline of 0.1%.
The sharpest fall is forecast for Saarland at 1.3%, followed by Thuringia at 0.7% and Bremen and Saxony-Anhalt at 0.6% each. These are forecasts, not guarantees for an individual city, sector or job, but they highlight major regional differences.
Employment and unemployment can both fall
A decline in employment does not automatically mean unemployment rises at the same rate. The IAB expects unemployment to fall by 3.9% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and 1.8% in Thuringia even though employment may also decline. Demographic change is a key reason: people retire while fewer younger workers enter the market.
Jobseekers should therefore look beyond the unemployment rate. Current vacancies, demanded skills, commuting options and sector trends are more useful for an individual decision.
Industrial regions face greater pressure
According to the IAB, regions with a large manufacturing sector face particular pressure, with the automotive industry undergoing further adjustment. Workers can identify transferable skills such as machine operation, quality control, warehousing, picking, maintenance, documentation and shift coordination.
Before choosing training, compare current ads across several sectors. If requirements such as a forklift licence, driving licence, technical basics or a recognised certificate appear repeatedly, targeted training may be more useful than a general course.
Adapt the search to regional differences
Create alerts not only for a job title but also for tasks and related terms. Check reachable neighbouring towns and districts, and compare full-time, part-time, shift, fixed-term and suitable local assignments.
Moving solely because of a state forecast would be premature. Individual cities and occupations can grow even where total employment falls, while state-level growth does not guarantee a suitable vacancy.
Clear local listings matter more for clients
Listings should answer the essentials immediately: exact task, location, date, duration, working hours, pay or budget and required experience. For physical work, include weights, stairs and available equipment.
Local needs such as cleaning, gardening, moving, assembly, care or short-term support do not disappear automatically when total employment declines. Precise information helps find suitable people within a realistic radius.
A practical seven-day plan
Choose three suitable fields, list several search terms for each, review the radius and nearby towns, update the CV and profile, compare at least five current offers, mark recurring requirements, and only then ask the Employment Agency or Jobcenter about relevant training support.
Applicants should state availability, relevant experience and one specific question. Clients should respond promptly and clarify the legal form before work begins. easyJobDE provides contact; correct classification and registration remain the parties’ responsibility.
Conclusion
The IAB forecast does not show a broad turnaround for 2027. Employment growth is expected in only three states, while industry and demographics affect regions differently. Jobseekers should compare locally, use several search channels and make transferable skills visible.
The forecast does not decide an individual opportunity. Accurate local information, clear profiles and transparent listings remain more important than a simple ranking of states.