Job vacancies in German mining, energy and waste
Job vacancies in German mining, energy and waste stood at 11.7 thousands in Q2 2026, according to Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Eurostat and KfW Research / ifo Institute. It is one of the indicators in the Job vacancies and skilled labour shortage table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q4 2010 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Job vacancies and skilled labour shortage table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany total | 1,023.4 | 1,153.2 | 1,258.9 | 1,039.8 | 1,058.4 | 1,158.4 | 1,568.3 | 1,278.8 | 1,375.2 | 1,597.4 | |
| Mining, energy, water and waste | 11.7 | 11.4 | 12.4 | 10.3 | 12.3 | 12.5 | 16.1 | 15.1 | 14.5 | 15 | |
| Manufacturing | 119.8 | 104.6 | 132.6 | 111.6 | 127.8 | 110.6 | 166.2 | 145.7 | 147.8 | 169 |
Understanding job vacancies in German mining, energy and waste
Infrastructure and utility openings reported here encompass external recruitment across establishments engaged in extractive operations, electricity and gas generation, water supply, sewerage, and waste management. The figures count every open position actively sought from the external labor pool, incorporating postings placed with public job registries as well as specialized industry listings and direct outreach. Vacancies in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and commercial trade are excluded, alongside internal staffing shifts and unpaid roles. In the sectoral hierarchy, this grouping isolates network utilities, environmental remediation, and resource extraction from goods fabrication and commercial services.
Assessing labor demand in this sector requires distinguishing recruitment duration from the volume of newly opened posts. Establishments in utility and extractive operations frequently seek specialized technical staff, which can extend recruitment timelines and keep vacancies open across multiple quarters. Comparing figures against the identical quarter of the preceding year is advisable to eliminate annual budgeting cycles and seasonal infrastructure maintenance schedules. Early quarterly numbers are subject to routine revisions when administrative records update the establishment sampling weights, and long-term comparisons should verify that changes in official classification codes have not shifted specific waste or energy activities across sectoral boundaries.
Frequently asked questions
- Are renewable energy generation facilities included within this utility category?
- Yes, establishments producing electricity from wind, solar, or other renewable sources are classified under the energy supply section of this series.
- Does this series include positions in municipal waste management departments?
- Publicly and privately organized waste management and sanitation establishments are included, provided their workers are subject to statutory employment registrations.
- Why are vacancies in this sector often persistent across quarters?
- Specialized engineering and technical skill requirements can lengthen search periods, leaving openings unfilled over extended time frames.