At the beginning of 2025, the German labor market is showing resilience despite economic challenges, including slowing GDP growth and structural changes in industry. However, problems such as a shortage of skilled workers, demographic changes, and difficulties with integrating migrants remain.
Key indicators at the beginning of 2025
Total employment: According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, the number of people in employment in March 2025 was around 45.8 million, 0.1% less than in March 2024.
Unemployment rate: In March 2025, the unemployment rate was 3.7%, up 0.2 percentage points compared to the same month of the previous year.
Average working week: Despite high employment, the average number of hours worked per employee fell to a record low (excluding the pandemic year of 2020), raising concerns about labor productivity.
Professions in demand
In 2025, there will continue to be high demand in Germany for specialists in the following fields:
Medicine: doctors, nurses, pharmacists.
Information technology: software developers, cybersecurity specialists, data analysts.
Construction: engineers, architects, skilled workers.
Education: teachers, especially in primary schools and technical subjects.
Care sector: social workers, caregivers, especially in the context of an aging population.
The shortage of personnel in these sectors is due to both demographic changes and an insufficient influx of qualified specialists.
Migration plays a key role in maintaining Germany’s labor force:
Number of foreign workers: As of 2024, the number of foreign workers in Germany stood at 6.3 million, almost twice as many as ten years ago.
Main migrant groups:
Ukraine: Since the start of the conflict in 2022, Germany has taken in a significant number of Ukrainian refugees, many of whom are integrating into the labor market.
Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan: These migrant groups are actively participating in the economy, especially in sectors with labor shortages.
Integration challenges: Despite integration efforts, migrants face challenges including recognition of qualifications, language barriers, and limited access to educational programs.
Average wage
Average wage: In 2025, the average gross wage in Germany is around €4,200 per month.
Minimum wage: From 2025, the minimum hourly rate has been increased to €12.82.
Sectoral differences:
IT and technology: high wages reflecting a shortage of skilled workers.
Medicine: salaries vary depending on specialization and region.
Construction and care: salaries remain competitive, especially given the shortage of labor.
Forecasts and challenges
Germany faces a number of structural challenges in the labor market:
An aging population: According to forecasts, around 4.8 million baby boomers will retire by 2035, exacerbating the labor shortage.
Reduction in working hours: The average number of hours worked per employee is declining, which could have a negative impact on overall productivity.
Integration of migrants: Additional measures are needed to effectively integrate migrants into the labor market, including recognition of qualifications and language support.
In response to these challenges, the German government is implementing programs to attract skilled workers from abroad, improve working conditions, and promote employment among women and older workers.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/analysis-of-the-german-labor-market-at-the-beginning-of-2025-by-relocation/
According to SERBIAN ECONOMIST, German pharmaceutical company Phoenix Pharma has announced plans to invest around €14 million in the construction of a modern distribution center in Leskovac, Serbia. The project involves the creation of a 1.5-hectare facility as part of the development of the Leskovac Green Zone, which is positioned as a key logistics and business hub for the region.
Strategic importance of the project
The new center will serve not only the local market but also the entire territory of Serbia, ensuring the efficient distribution of pharmaceutical products, including medicines, food supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices. It is expected to create around 120 jobs, which will be a significant contribution to the development of the region’s economy.
The mayor of Leskovac, Goran Cvetanovic, emphasized the importance of this investment project for the local economy, noting that it contributes to the creation of new jobs and strengthens the position of the “Green Zone” as a key business area.
Phoenix Pharma is a subsidiary of Phoenix Pharmahandel AG & Co KG, one of the largest pharmaceutical distributors in Europe. The company is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany. Phoenix Pharmahandel operates in more than 27 European countries, providing distribution services for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and related products.
In the 2023 financial year, the group’s turnover exceeded €25 billion, and it employed more than 39,000 people. The company is actively investing in the expansion of its logistics network, including the construction of new distribution centers and the introduction of modern technologies to optimize supply chains.
Phoenix Pharmahandel has an extensive geographical presence, including countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and others. The company serves more than 150,000 customers, including pharmacies, hospitals, and other medical institutions, ensuring the timely and reliable delivery of pharmaceutical products.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/963
The mayor of Niš, Dragoslav Pavlović, has announced the prospects of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba coming to southern Serbia. This became possible after the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the birthplace of Alibaba. The document confirms the partnership within the framework of the Digital Silk Road initiative and provides for the intensification of Chinese investment in the region.
According to Pavlovic, the possibility of building an Alibaba logistics center in Nis is being discussed, as well as the implementation of projects in the fields of science and education. However, at this point, there has been no official confirmation from Alibaba or Chinese authorities regarding these plans.
Earlier it was reported that AliExpress, a subsidiary of Alibaba, is considering the possibility of setting up warehouses in Serbia to speed up the delivery of goods to countries in Southeast Europe. According to Serbia Business, such plans were discussed after the Chinese president’s visit to Serbia in 2024.
In addition, as part of the expansion of transport infrastructure in Niš, the Chinese company Shandong Hi-Speed Group has signed a contract to modernize the Constantine the Great Airport. The project, worth more than $153 million, includes the reconstruction of the runway, the expansion of the apron, and the construction of new taxiways.
Thus, Niš is becoming an important center for Chinese-Serbian cooperation, bringing together initiatives in logistics, infrastructure, and digital trade.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/949
Italy’s economy in 2025 is showing moderate growth amid structural problems and external economic challenges. Despite positive trends at the beginning of the year, the outlook for the rest of the year remains uncertain.
Key macroeconomic indicators for 2025
GDP growth: According to the European Commission’s forecast, GDP is expected to increase by 1.0% in 2025.
Inflation: Inflation is expected to rise moderately to 2.3%.
Unemployment rate: Unemployment is expected to fall to 7.7%.
Budget deficit: The deficit is projected to narrow to 3.3% of GDP.
Public debt: Public debt is expected to rise to 137.8% of GDP by 2026.
Economic dynamics in January-April 2025
Industrial production: In March 2025, industrial production increased by 0.1% compared to February, which is below the expected growth of 0.5%. In annual terms, production fell by 1.8%, continuing the downward trend for 26 months.
GDP growth in Q1: Italy’s economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, slightly exceeding analysts’ expectations. Factors supporting the economy
Domestic demand: Private consumption is expected to strengthen, becoming the main driver of economic growth in 2025.
Fiscal policy: The Italian government has approved a budget for 2025 that includes tax breaks for families and deficit reduction, which should stimulate economic activity.
Risks and challenges
External factors: Potential trade tensions, particularly with the US, could negatively affect exports and overall economic growth.
Structural problems: High public debt and the need for structural reforms remain key challenges for the Italian economy.
Forecast for the end of 2025
GDP growth: Growth of around 1.0% is expected, with domestic demand remaining the main driver.
Inflation: Inflation is expected to remain at 2.3%, in line with the European Central Bank’s target.
Unemployment: The unemployment rate is projected to decline to 7.7%, reflecting a gradual improvement in the labor market.
Thus, despite the existing challenges, Italy’s economy is showing signs of stabilization in 2025, supported by domestic demand and government support measures. However, further structural reforms and the effective use of available resources are necessary to ensure sustainable growth.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Đukanović has initiated a review of the practice of granting honorary citizenships, stressing that they should be awarded exclusively for specific services to the country, such as job creation, economic development, and the promotion of Montenegrin interests. He warned that if it turns out that passports were handed out as “personal favors” or without clear criteria, it would discredit state institutions and encourage corruption.
Spajic took this step amid the procedure to strip Kosovar businessman Naser Ramaj of his citizenship. This case has become a prime example of the review of the practice of granting honorary citizenship, especially against the backdrop of Montenegro’s active movement towards European Union membership.
Ramaj, who received a Montenegrin passport in October 2023 as an investor in the €80 million Porto Budva project, is now involved in a criminal case involving the embezzlement of €2.2 million. He is accused of systematic tax evasion in the implementation of this residential complex. It is noteworthy that citizenship was granted under the previous government of Dritan Abazovic, which calls into question the transparency of such decisions in the past.
Spajic emphasizes that such cases damage the country’s international image at a critical moment when Montenegro is seeking to complete EU accession negotiations by the end of 2025. European partners have long expressed concern about the corruption risks associated with economic citizenship programs. The government’s current actions are aimed at demonstrating its determination to bring all procedures into line with European standards.
This precedent could be a turning point in Montenegro’s citizenship policy. The authorities are not only reviewing the specific decision, but also conducting a systematic review of previously granted honorary citizenships in an effort to restore the trust of both their own citizens and the international community. The success of this initiative will be crucial for the country’s further European integration, scheduled for 2028.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/930
In 2025, Germany’s economy continues to face serious challenges. After two consecutive years of GDP decline (0.3% in 2023 and 0.2% in 2024), the current year is characterized by stagnation, with GDP growth forecast at 0.0%. This makes Germany the only G7 country that has not shown economic growth in the last three years.
The new government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is due to take office on May 6, is expected to present a package of measures to stimulate the economy. These include
Economists predict a moderate recovery of the German economy in 2026 with GDP growth of around 1.0%. However, the successful implementation of these forecasts will depend on the new government’s ability to effectively address internal and external challenges.
