The European Labour Authority (ELA) has published its latest Labour Shortages and Surpluses in Europe 2025report, providing one of the most comprehensive overviews of workforce shortages across the European labour market. Based on data collected through the EURES network, the report identifies 2,617 occupations experiencing labour shortages during 2025, highlighting how the gap between labour demand and available skills continues to challenge employers across Europe.
For companies planning future recruitment, the report offers valuable insight into which professions are becoming increasingly difficult to fill and why workforce planning will require a broader, more strategic approach.
Where are labour shortages most severe?
Labour shortages are not evenly distributed across Europe. While almost every occupation is reported as being in shortage in at least one Member State, a relatively small group of countries accounts for most recruitment difficulties.
According to the report, around 53 million people, representing approximately one quarter of total employment in Europe, currently work in occupations affected by widespread labour shortages.
The greatest recruitment challenges involve:
- skilled technical professions;
- machinery and equipment operators;
- qualified manufacturing trades;
- medium-skilled technical occupations.
Which sectors face the greatest recruitment challenges?
The healthcare and social care sector remains under the greatest pressure. Employing approximately 25 million workers across Europe, it continues to experience persistent shortages of:
- doctors;
- nurses;
- care professionals.
However, healthcare is far from the only sector affected.
Significant recruitment challenges are also reported in:
- construction, where vacancy rates remain consistently high;
- transport and logistics, facing increasing workforce shortages;
- manufacturing, particularly for skilled technicians and machinery operators;
- engineering and other highly specialised technical professions.
The report concludes that addressing these shortages will require coordinated investment in workforce development, improved working conditions and more effective use of existing skills across European labour markets.
Demographic trends are reshaping Europe’s workforce
Beyond sector-specific shortages, the ELA report identifies several long-term demographic trends that will continue to reshape Europe’s labour market.
Women remain underrepresented in many occupations experiencing labour shortages, reflecting persistent occupational segregation across several industries.
At the same time, older workers are overrepresented in many strategic sectors. As large numbers approach retirement, employers will increasingly need to replace experienced workers while ensuring that critical skills are transferred to a new generation.
What does this mean for European employers?
For businesses, these findings go far beyond statistics. They highlight the growing need to expand recruitment strategies beyond national borders while improving the recognition of skills and qualifications across different countries.
This is precisely where PeopleGateway creates value. By connecting European employers with qualified talent pools in international labour markets, PeopleGateway helps simplify every stage of cross-border recruitment, from skills recognition and candidate selection to international mobility and workforce integration.
As labour shortages continue to affect healthcare, construction, logistics, manufacturing and technical professions across Europe, working with a partner that combines up-to-date labour market intelligence, international recruitment networks and structured labour mobility solutions provides organisations with a tangible competitive advantage when planning their future workforce.
Source: European Labour Authority, Labour Shortages and Surpluses in Europe 2025.