The shortage of IT specialists has noticeably eased in 2024. According to an analysis by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research, the number of open positions fell by 26 percent compared to 2023. Experts with academic degrees are particularly affected. Jurek Tiedemann, an economist specializing in securing skilled workers, describes the development as “rapid.” In some sectors, such as legal and tax consulting, the number of IT specialists is nevertheless increasing, driven by increased digitalization. (heise: 18.08.25)
Skilled labor shortage hits IT industry particularly hard
The study shows that the number of job openings for skilled workers fell by 4.3 percent overall. In IT professions, the decline was much higher at 26.2 percent. The average number of open positions fell to 46,431. This exacerbates the shortage of skilled workers because many positions remain vacant.
The main causes are considered to be a weak economy and a lack of investment. Companies are postponing projects and reducing budgets. This creates a lack of opportunities for IT specialists. The industry is particularly affected because complex projects without a clear economic perspective are being put on hold.
Academic IT specialists are losing particularly many opportunities
Highly qualified specialists are feeling the pinch, especially. For master’s and diploma graduates, the number of job openings fell by 33.7 percent to 26,753. Computer science and business information technology specialists were hit particularly hard, with declines of 46.2 percent and 38.2 percent, respectively. Companies are slowing down on demanding projects that require extensive expertise.
Skilled professionals with completed training are also suffering. For this group, the supply shrank by 19.6 percent. For IT specialists, who cover a broad range of technical areas, the decline was smaller at 8.6 percent. However, the shortage of skilled workers is intensifying here as well.
Digitalization drives individual industries
Despite the general downturn, there are sectors experiencing growth. Legal and tax consulting, as well as auditing, recorded an increase of 518.4 percent, corresponding to 1,770 additional jobs. Tiedemann attributes this effect to advancing digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence. Civil engineering, energy supply, and insurance also showed slight increases.
The situation is different in the IT services sector. There, the supply shrank by 31.6 percent, corresponding to 5,821 jobs. Tasks are being outsourced or handled in-house. The automotive industry also suffered a massive decline, declining by 36.8 percent. This development illustrates how closely digitalization is linked to economic stability.
Artificial intelligence is changing the requirements
Tiedemann emphasizes that a direct connection between artificial intelligence and declining job numbers cannot be proven. Rather, studies suggest that the technology creates additional demand. AI supports processes and does not completely replace humans. However, requirements are changing: proficient use of artificial intelligence is becoming more important, while routine tasks are being eliminated.
Other analyses, however, reveal more risks. According to RationalFX, companies in the global technology sector reported more than 149,000 layoffs by August 2025. US companies accounted for 71 percent of these. Giants like Microsoft and Intel are using AI tools, chatbots, and automation to replace entire departments.
Skilled labor shortage will persist in the long term
Despite declining demand, thousands of positions remain vacant. In 2024, there was a shortage of more than 13,500 IT specialists. The gap was particularly high among computer scientists, with 6,920 vacancies remaining. This demonstrates the simultaneous impact of the skills shortage and digitalization.
Forecasts through 2028 predict further employment growth. At the same time, the shortage of specialists is increasing. Strategies to counteract this are essential. Training young talent, supporting career changers, and international recruitment are considered key factors. This is the only way to stabilize the market for IT specialists while digitalization and artificial intelligence are constantly changing requirements.