Rising Unemployment Among Disabled Workers Highlights Inadequate Inclusion Efforts

Despite high qualifications, disabled individuals face persistent barriers to employment as companies fail to meet legal inclusion quotas.

Unemployment among people with disabilities in Germany has risen by 7% over the past year, with 177,280 individuals currently jobless.
Disabled workers are often highly qualified, with 74% of unemployed individuals in this group holding vocational or academic credentials, compared to 59% of the general unemployed population.
Many companies fail to meet the legal requirement to employ at least 5% disabled workers, with one in four firms employing none and opting to pay fines instead.
Organizations like Aktion Mensch criticize businesses for overlooking disabled candidates despite widespread labor shortages and a growing demand for skilled workers.
Advocates call for stronger incentives, cultural shifts in workplace diversity, and improved pathways from sheltered workshops to the general labor market.