The EURES Report on labour shortages and surpluses has highlighted a tightening European labour market despite a slowdown in economic growth. The report indicates that 84 percent of occupations are experiencing shortages in at least one country. The sectors most severely impacted include construction and engineering crafts, healthcare, and information and communications technology (ICT).
Among the shortage professions, approximately 40 have been identified as being severely affected by the lack of available workers. The most impacted occupations across Europe are:
- 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 labourers
These professions are facing significant challenges in finding enough skilled workers, exacerbating the labour shortages in these fields.