Turnaround in development professions

The occupational area Development has broken its downward trend of the past four years and has grown strongly. One in five positions in the sample is aimed at one of the (information) technology professions. This is mainly due to gains in engineering and IT professions.

After two years at the top, the occupational area Service had to give way. In 2025, it exceeded the 20 percent mark again for the first time since 2011. It was unable to hold this value. The above-average demand for sales staff and healthcare and nursing professionals has now normalized again. Nevertheless, the service professions are still somewhat above their long-term average (Ø 17.0 %).

The consulting professions have overcome last year's low. However, the occupational area can no longer match the high values of earlier years (Ø 20.9 %). Since the activities in sales have fundamentally changed, it is questionable whether shares of this magnitude are still achievable in the future. In the work area of health, social and legal consulting, however, the trend is upward.

The share of office professions has been rising since 2022 and is currently as high as it last was 15 years ago. Employers need more support, especially in the areas of clerical work and administration. The increased burden of bureaucracy and demographic change could play a role here.

In the occupational areas Processing and Infrastructure, it usually becomes noticeable quickly when the economy is not running smoothly. Both received a setback compared to the previous year. In processing, electrical professions and machine operation in particular declined. In the Infrastructure occupational area, warehouse logistics and maintenance professions are less strongly represented. The share of both occupational areas is nevertheless above their long-term average (Ø 11.5 and 11.3 % respectively).

After comparatively strong years, the occupational area Production has fallen below its average value again. It remains the occupational area with the lowest share of the overall sample. Only the construction and interior construction professions saw slight gains.