Germany's ageing population and low population growth rate has triggered a workforce shortage in the labor market, specifically in some occupations that are now considered highly in-demand. In order to fulfil these shortages, the government has to source foreign nationals who are qualified to practice in-demand jobs in Germany.

Listed below are four in-demand occupations that offer competitive salaries, employment benefits, and a healthy work environment to skilled immigrants:

Doctors

This is the most respected profession in Germany. Doctors are typically employed in hospitals or a group practice, but may also set up a private practice. Many doctors in hospitals are expected to retire in the coming years. General practitioners are highly in-demand, especially in East Germany and rural areas.

Starting annual salaries for medical graduates are around E52,000 - the highest across all disciplines in the country. Most attending physicians earn between E85,000 and E150,000. Annual salaries for chief physicians with 11-20 years of experience could range between E272,000 and E400,000.

Nurses

By 2050, 50,000 Germans are expected to be in need of care. However, hospitals, care facilities and retirement homes in the country are facing a shortage of qualified nurses who can provide inpatient and outpatient healthcare services.

Foreign nurses with the required professional recognition, German language skills, acknowledged degree, reliability and medical suitability can capitalize on this urgent need by migrating to Germany and pursuing lucrative overseas jobs. Typically, a fully qualified healthcare nurse could earn around E2,500 per month.

Engineers

While demand for engineers is pervasive across the tech sector, there is a specific shortage of electrical, automotive and mechanical engineers. On average, engineers take home E64,000 per annum. Salaries increase depending on the designation and work experience. Beginners have an average annual income of E40,000 to E45,000. Engineers with 10 or more years of experience earn between E55,000 and E68,000. Highly qualified engineers in certain disciplines can earn as much as E74,000.

Natural Scientists and IT Professionals

In December 2018, Bitkom - an IT sector federation - announced that there were 82,000 job vacancies across IT companies in Germany. This, combined with rapid innovation and digitization in the German economy, has resulted in widespread demand for STEM academics and IT professionals. A Germany job search will reveal several vacancies in these occupations.

Chemical, biotech, pharmaceutical and nanotechnology industries also have a constant demand for scientists. Starting salaries are around E40,000 per annum, and can rise as high as E69,000 or E86,000, after 10 or more years of experience. IT specialists make roughly E66,000 annually, while IT managers take home E81,000 and IT heads can earn up to E124,000.

Studies estimate that Germany will need to welcome 260,000 workers every year to fill skills shortages that cannot be domestically filled. As per the German Labor Office, as of August 2018, there were 1.2 million vacant jobs in Germany that had been left unoccupied. These jobs may be listed on online portals or accessed through international recruitment agencies. Immigration aspirants must take advantage of this opportunity to chart their path towards a successful career and high quality of life in Germany.