There is a significant decline in employment in the industrial sector in Germany. In the first quarter of 2026, the number of industrial workers decreased by 2.3% compared to the same period last year. Since before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 341,500 people have lost their jobs in the industrial sector. The most severely affected area of job loss was the automotive sector. Approximately 125,800 people lost their jobs in this sector over the last 7 years. Experts indicate that these developments point to significant changes in Germany's industrial structure.