By WEB DESK – The 2023 EURES Report on labor shortages and surpluses in Europe reveals a tightening labor market despite slower economic growth. According to SchengenVisaInfo, 84% of occupations faced shortages in one or more countries, with construction, engineering crafts, healthcare, and ICT being the most affected sectors.
Acute Labor Shortages in Key Professions
Professions experiencing the most acute shortages include heavy truck drivers, nursing professionals, doctors, electricians, roofers, waiters, and construction laborers. These shortages place significant pressure on industries and economies across Europe.
Factors Contributing to Labor Shortages
Several factors drive this labor shortage, including:
- Structural economic changes
- New labor trends and skill requirements
- Demographic shifts
- Societal developments
Unattractive working conditions and mismatches between job seekers’ preferences and employers’ offerings further contribute to the challenge. Approximately 40 of the identified shortage professions are classified as severely impacted.
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Most Affected Occupations
The following occupations face significant labor shortages across Europe:
- Welders and flame cutters
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Heavy truck drivers
- Specialist doctors
- Motor mechanics
- Nursing professionals
- Waiters
- Metal and machine setters
- Floor layers and tile setters
- Roofers
- Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
- Construction laborers
Persistent Construction Sector Shortages
The construction sector faces persistent shortages due to an aging population, low employment attractiveness, and skills mismatches. The widespread use of subcontractors, self-employed individuals, and temporary labor exacerbates the situation, leading to frequent contract changes and increased job precariousness.
Potential Solutions
Increasing the representation of underrepresented groups, especially women, is suggested as a potential solution to alleviate shortages in the construction industry. Despite skills mismatches contributing to the shortage of professions, many workers in surplus jobs are highly skilled. The report notes that 60% of employees in surplus jobs in the EU in 2022 were women, highlighting a less favorable labor market for women compared to men.
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