Talent shortage: These are the hardest roles to fill in Europe
Talent Shortage: These are the hardest roles to fill in Europe
Key Findings
A recent global study reveals that Europe is grappling with a severe talent shortage, with certain professions proving particularly difficult to staff. According to the 2026 Global Talent Shortage report by Manpower, AI and IT are among the most challenging positions for employers and recruiters. The survey, which involved 39,000 businesses across 41 countries, found that roughly 70% of companies face difficulties in filling key roles.
Regional Variations
Among European nations, Slovakia leads the talent gap with 87% of managers reporting inability to staff all required positions. Greece (84%), Japan (84%), Germany (83%), and Portugal (82%) follow closely. In contrast, China, Poland, Finland, and the Czech Republic experience fewer recruitment challenges. Notably, specific industries show heightened demand: IT (75%), hospitality (74%), health (74%), and scientific and technical services (73%) are particularly affected.
Company Size Impact
Larger enterprises, defined as those employing 1,000 or more individuals, report the most pronounced talent shortages, with at least 74% facing recruitment issues. While AI and IT dominate the demand in the UK and much of Europe, other regions highlight unique needs. Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic prioritize engineers, while Belgium, Ireland, and Norway struggle with logistics recruitment. Greece stands out as the only country in Europe actively seeking HR professionals at a 21% rate.
Global Trends
The talent gap has widened significantly since 2006, with recruitment struggles rising from 40% to 72% of managers over the past decade. This surge is attributed to the post-pandemic shift in workforce dynamics. Meanwhile, Latin American and Caribbean employers, such as those in Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, and Panama, show a strong focus on sales and marketing roles. Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, however, exhibit a different pattern, emphasizing AI staffing.
“Upskilling and reskilling current employees” is the most common strategy cited by business leaders to tackle talent shortages, with 27% of respondents prioritizing this approach. Internal solutions like schedule flexibility (20%) and higher salaries (19%) follow closely, while external recruitment ranks fourth at 18%.
