Germany and Belgium are in desperate need of skilled workers, and they’re coming to South Africa to find them, particularly in healthcare, technology, engineering, trades, and IT.
This is according to Beaver Recruitment SA, which noted a surge in demand from recruiters in these countries looking for talent in South Africa.
The agency said that both countries are facing some of the most severe labour shortages in Europe, and they are turning to South African professionals. Northern Europe’s shortage of skilled workers is now at crisis levels.
In Belgium, the job vacancy rate has reached 4.1%, one of the highest in the European Union, with over 163,000 open positions reported in the second quarter of 2025.
Nearly three-quarters of Belgian employers have reported struggling to fill vacancies, and one in five companies face major recruitment challenges.
Germany is in a similar position. The country currently has more than a million unfilled jobs and a vacancy rate of 2.7%.
Experts estimate that Germany needs to attract at least 400,000 skilled workers annually just to maintain economic stability.
These shortages are being fuelled by several overlapping factors—an ageing population, rapid economic growth, and a widening mismatch between the skills available and those in demand.
As a result, both Germany and Belgium have begun looking beyond Europe’s borders, streamlining visa requirements and making it easier for foreign professionals to live and work there.
Belgium’s economy, in particular, is booming, but its local workforce can’t keep up with the pace of demand.
The country’s official shortage list for 2025 highlights a desperate need for butchers, HVAC technicians, plant managers, and occupational health professionals.
What makes Belgium especially attractive for South Africans is its openness to English-speaking workers.
Many employers are actively recruiting from South Africa, with English often being the only language requirement.
“At Beaver Recruitment SA, we’ve seen a surge in requests from Belgian recruiters specifically seeking South Africans,” said Nicholas Avramis, Managing Director of Beaver Recruitment.
“They love South Africans’ strong work ethic, technical ability, and the fact that English is a common language. It makes integration quick and seamless.”
South Africa becoming a global leader in the export of skilled talent
Germany’s demand is even broader, stretching across engineering, information technology, and the trades.
The top five most in-demand roles for foreign workers in 2025 include IT specialists, engineers, skilled tradespeople such as electricians and HVAC technicians, plant managers, and aircraft mechanics.
The aviation sector, in particular, is struggling to find qualified staff as it ramps up operations after the pandemic. While most jobs in Germany require proficiency in the German language, technical fields often make exceptions.
“In areas like aircraft maintenance and IT, English is widely used. That gives South Africans with the right qualifications a real advantage, even if they don’t speak German yet,” said Avramis.
Avramis added that the demand from European employers has become relentless. “We get calls every week from recruiters and private companies across Europe looking to hire skilled South African workers in bulk. The demand is real, and it’s growing fast,” he noted.
South Africa has quietly become one of Europe’s most valuable sources of skilled labour. Nearly a million South Africans now live and work abroad, with Europe ranking just behind the UK and Australia as a preferred destination.
Germany is home to more than 20,000 South Africans, Belgium over 4,000, and the Netherlands more than 41,000.
These expatriate communities are thriving—supporting local economies and helping to build stronger ties between South Africa and the EU.
However, while this global migration presents opportunities for individuals, it also poses risks to South Africa’s domestic economy.
Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist at the Efficient Group, warned that South Africa is facing a double whammy.
“We’re losing sought-after skills through emigration, while our own economy sheds jobs for lower-skilled workers as industries like manufacturing decline. That’s pushing many skilled professionals to look abroad, and Europe is answering that call,” he said.
Despite those challenges, South Africa’s growing reputation for producing highly capable, English-speaking professionals is becoming an asset on the world stage.
The demand for South African skills is clear, and European countries are making it easier than ever for workers to make the move.
“If you’re a skilled worker considering a move abroad, now is the time to explore the opportunities that Europe has to offer,” said Avramis.
