BERLIN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Germany needs at least 260,000 new immigrants per year until 2060 in order to counter labor shortages caused by demographic decline, according to a study published by the Bertelsmann Foundation on Tuesday.
Of that number, around 146,000 people would have to immigrate from countries outside the European Union, the study report said.
The study also takes into account the potential of the local population. The researchers assume a higher birth rate in future as well as more women and older people in the labor market. But still, the need for skilled labor could not be covered by domestic means.
It also looked at how digitization will affect immigration needs. An increasingly digitized labor market requires not fewer workers, but more skilled workers with high qualifications, such as technicians and academics.
Jorg Drager, Chairman of the Bertelsmann Foundation, said on the occasion of the study's publication, "Migration is a key to a successful future. Germany needs skilled workers, including those from regions outside Europe."
