Survey reveals one out of six Germans concerned about losing their job to AI

Rising Concerns Over AI Job Impact in Germany

Approximately 16% of German employees fear that artificial intelligence (AI) could put their current positions in jeopardy, according to a survey published on Monday. The 2025 labor market report from the career platform Xing indicates this concern is growing, up from 14% last year.

Out of the 2,000 employees surveyed, 29% expressed the belief that AI might replace a significant portion of human roles. The perception of risk differs by age group: only 25% of those aged 25 to 34 felt that many jobs were threatened by AI, compared to 32% of respondents aged 18 to 25 and 55 to 65.

Younger participants were more inclined to view AI as a source of innovation and new opportunities, while optimism was lower among those aged 45 and above, with just 21% sharing that sentiment.

Research by Germany's Institute for Employment Research (IAB) and partner organizations, released in November, suggests that although AI is expected to significantly disrupt the labor market, the overall number of jobs is likely to stay stable. The study estimates that structural changes could affect about 1.6 million positions, with some jobs disappearing and others emerging over the forecast period.

The IT and information services sector is anticipated to benefit most, potentially generating around 110,000 new positions. Conversely, industries such as corporate services may face job reductions, with an estimated 120,000 positions at risk.

Author: Sophia Brooks