Sachsen-Anhalt sees sharp rise in firms hiring foreign workers

In Sachsen-Anhalt, almost one in four companies now employ at least one foreign worker. According to the Federal Employment Agency, 11,539 firms – 22.7 % of the 50,871 socially insured employers in the state – have international staff, up 43 % between 2020 and 2025. This is the strongest growth rate among the former East German states, where the national increase was roughly 16 % in the same period.

The total number of foreign employees rose to 68,420, more than quadrupling over the past ten years, while the number of German‑national staff fell by 10,530 to 719,870. The trend is driven by demographic change; as retirees outpace new entrants, many businesses, especially larger ones, turn to migrant labour to fill skill gaps. 99 % of firms with more than 500 staff already have foreign employees, compared with only 11 % of micro‑enterprises.

Regional labour officials view the shift positively, noting that immigration is essential for meeting the state’s ongoing skills shortage and enhancing competitiveness.