Talents
Companies looking for qualified employees can tap into a deep source of well-qualified specialists in Berlin.
Berlin's appeal attracts highly educated workers from both within Germany and abroad. Of the 2.2 million people in the workforce, approximately 1.7 million are employees subject to social security contributions. With over 976,000 foreign residents and an average population age of 42.9, Berlin is a cosmopolitan and youthful city.
International professionals
Berlin is, according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW), the most attractive destination for skilled workers and university graduates who have migrated to Germany – in 2024, one in four qualified professionals in Berlin was born abroad.
International skilled workers move particularly frequently to city states and western German federal states. In a nationwide comparison, Berlin is the clear leader, attracting the most foreign skilled workers of working age – between 25 and 64:
- 27.1 % of the specialists were born abroad,
- 41.9 % of immigrants are college graduates,
- 35.1 % of all university graduates in Berlin are from abroad,
- 14.3 % of the total working‑age population are university‑educated migrants.
In addition to jobs and career opportunities, factors such as cosmopolitanism, a welcoming atmosphere, and quality of life are also key considerations when choosing where to live and work. International communities, bilingual schools and daycare centers make it easier to settle into the city and help you get settled quickly.
Students
For international students and researchers, the capital is one of the most popular university destinations in the world. In the 2025–26 winter semester, approximately 52,000 of the more than 202,500 students enrolled were foreign nationals. That is 26 percent of all students. Most of these students come from India, China, Turkey, Russia, Italy and Syria. Women account for 52 percent of all students in Berlin.
Four universities, numerous renowned colleges and research institutions form an international network that benefits Berlin’s economy. In addition to international connections, they provide a large pool of highly trained, multilingual professionals.
Why Berlin?
„The economic success of any company depends on its employees and their qualifications. We certainly benefit from the extraordinary scientific know-how in Berlin, which is the direct result of the city's many institutions of higher learning and scientific research institutes.“
Our Services for Businesses: Unbureaucratic, fast and effective
We, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, the Berlin economic development agency, are at your service for all matters related to human resources - from recruitment and onboarding (including issues related to residency permits) to apprenticeships, professional development and training. Our services are free of charge.
- Support for HR matters, impartial and all from a single source – our Talent Service
- Showcase your employer brand on our skilled worker portal
- Neutral and tailored information on continuing education, reskilling and upskilling initiatives and workforce development at your company – through our partner network www.weiterbildung.berlin
- Information and tips on how to use the national and international services offered by the German Federal Employment Agency and the EURES network (including Europe-wide job postings and global recruitment projects)
- Support from our close-knit network of labor market stakeholders
