Language as a Key and a Barrier in the Labor Market

The proportion of immigrants in the German labor market has risen sharply in recent years. However, language barriers often stand in the way of successful integration into the labor market.

According to a study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), more than half of companies in Germany expect applicants to have at least a B2 language level. Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, are less willing to consider applicants without sufficient German language skills. At the same time, as the number of employees increases, the proportion of companies where language skills do not play a decisive role in hiring decreases. The highest language requirements are found in the “Financial and Insurance Services” sector, while the lowest requirements are in the hospitality industry.

Although about half of companies state that they generally set a strict B2 threshold for hiring, 12% of companies consider hiring individuals with lower language proficiency if the advertised job profile allows it. Another 15% of companies will hire if applicants are actively participating in German language courses—but given the planned cuts to language and integration courses, this poses further problems for immigrants.

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This text first appeared as an editorial in the weekly politjobs newsletter. If you’d like to receive this newsletter with the latest jobs in the political sector directly via email every Wednesday, you can subscribe here.