Reuters reported on 19 Jan 2024 that Germany shortened foreigners’ paths to citizenship and ended a ban on dual nationality by passing a naturalisation law designed to reflect the reality of a society that has long been ethnically diverse and to attract more migrant worker. Citizenship will be available after five years’ residence, reduced from eight, in line with neighbouring countries such as France. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the new law was needed to compete in the global competition for skilled labour with countries like Canada and the United States. Link to article here – https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/labour-hungry-germany-ease-citizenship-path-despite-migration-rows-2024-01-19/
This law was passed despite rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the country, which illustrates how societal and economic needs for essential workers trumps populist rhetoric.
The German labor market is projected to have 7 million fewer workers by 2035, according to Reuters.
Germany’s fast aging population and low fertility rates means that by 2040 it could have worker-to-aged ratio of 2.0, which is the tipping point where chronic labor shortages could manifest. For more details, read Chapter 3 “Essential workers will determine the tipping point”.