Key Takeaways
- The most sought-after jobs in the EU include construction and engineering crafts, healthcare, and ICT.
- Nearly 40 identified shortage occupations are critically impacted by a lack of workers.
- The latest EURES report highlights persistent labor shortages in construction.
- Despite slower economic growth, the European labor market is tightening, with 84% of occupations experiencing shortages in one or more countries.
According to a report by EURES, the European job market is facing significant labor shortages, with the construction, engineering crafts, healthcare, and ICT sectors being the most affected, as reported by SchengenNews.
Among the most critically short-staffed roles are heavy truck drivers, nursing professionals (including specialists), doctors, electricians, roofers, waiters, and construction laborers. These shortages are widespread and severe, placing considerable pressure on various industries and economies.
Factors Contributing to Labor Shortages
The European Labour Authority attributes these shortages to several factors, including:
- Economic structural changes
- New labor trends and skill requirements
- Demographic shifts and societal developments
Additionally, unattractive working conditions and mismatches between job seekers’ preferences and employers’ offerings exacerbate the situation. Approximately 40 of the identified shortage professions have been classified as severely impacted by the lack of available workers.
Occupations with the Most Severe Shortages
The most affected occupations across Europe include:
- Welders and flame cutters
- Plumbers, pipefitters
- Heavy truck drivers
- Specialist doctors
- Motor mechanics
- Nursing professionals
- Waiters
- Metal, machine setters
- Floor layers, tile settlers
- Roofers
- Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
- Construction laborers
Persistent Shortages in Construction
The EURES report also emphasizes that the construction sector faces ongoing labor shortages. Contributing factors include an aging population, the sector’s low employment attractiveness, and skills mismatches. The prevalent use of subcontractors, self-employed individuals, and temporary labor further defines a market characterized by frequent contract changes, increasing job precariousness. This instability may deter individuals from entering or remaining in the sector.
The report suggests that increasing the representation of underrepresented groups, especially women, could help alleviate these shortages. The construction industry is the EU’s largest industrial employer, with nearly 13 million workers in three million companies across Europe.
Surplus of Highly Qualified Workers
While skills mismatches contribute to the shortage of certain professions, there is also a surplus of highly skilled workers in other areas. Many of these surplus workers possess high qualifications, demonstrating that a high level of education does not automatically lead to good employment opportunities.
The report highlights that 60% of employees in surplus jobs in the EU in 2022 were women, compared to only 27% in shortage occupations. This disparity creates a “less favorable” labor market for women compared to men, according to the report.
