Solving the Talent Shortage

More employers than ever are struggling to fill open jobs — 45% globally say they can't find the skills they need, up from 40% in 2017 and the highest in over a decade.

Now in its 12th year, the ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage research is the largest talent shortage survey of its kind. Dig into the 2017-2018 data to explore, country-by-country, what's driving this skills gaps and where the problem is most acute.

Discover a new approach to the talent problem: build, buy, borrow, or bridge to ensure your workforce has the in-demand skills for the digital age.

Find out more

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Global Talent Shortage at 12-Year High

With a strengthening global economy, employers are more optimistic about hiring. Yet emerging technology and changing skills needs are leaving employers with unfilled roles, threatening productivity, efficiency and future growth. These combined factors have pushed talent shortages to their highest level since 2006.

View Global Data Compare Change Over Time

Which Roles Are the Hardest to Fill?

For the 6th consecutive year, skilled trades positions are the hardest to fill globally.

Though artificial intelligence is fast-expanding what can be automated, technology is redefining rather than replacing in-demand roles.

Explore In-Demand Roles

Talent Shortage by Company Size

Large companies (250+ employees) have twice as much difficulty filling roles as micro firms (less than 10 employees). Midsized organizations (50-249) are feeling the pinch too, with well over half struggling to attract the skills they need. Small employers (10-49 employees) are doing slightly better, with about a third reporting skills shortages.

Shortage by Company Size

Why Roles Remain Unfilled

Nearly a third of employers say the main reason they can't fill roles is a lack of applicants, while 27% say candidates lack the necessary hard or soft skills.

Explore Data by Country

Leveraging the Talent Shortage Research

Winning in the digital age demands faster, more targeted approaches than ever before. To keep pace in today's Skills Revolution an effective talent strategy should comprise four key elements: build, buy, borrow, bridge. Ensure that your organization has the best talent strategy in place to address your workforce challenges both today and tomorrow:

Attracting and retaining talent
Minimizing business disruptions
Managing workforce costs
Scaling the business
Workforce productivity
Creating efficiencies

Click on the boxes to explore in more detail.

Build

INVEST IN LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TO GROW YOUR TALENT PIPELINE

Continuous learning must be a two-way deal: essential for individuals to stay employable, and critical for companies to develop the talent they need.

Buy

GO TO MARKET TO ATTRACT TALENT THAT CANNOT BE BUILT IN-HOUSE

In a tight labor market employers must work hard to recruit candidates, communicating a strong value proposition, clear purpose and attractive culture. If not, they will need to be prepared to pay a premium.

Borrow

CULTIVATE COMMUNITIES OF TALENT OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION

When organizations need to complement existing skills, fill gaps for short-term projects, or quickly find expertise they do not have, it's time to tap NextGen talent outside the company, including part-time, contingent, contract, freelance or temporary work.

Bridge

HELP PEOPLE MOVE ON AND MOVE UP TO NEW ROLES INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION

Leaders have a responsibility to find pathways so those whose skills no longer fit can bridge to changing roles. When this is not possible, employers need to treat people with respect and dignity and help them transition smoothly, applying their skills to new roles beyond the company

What Does Success Look Like?

Let's Discuss Your Talent Shortage Challenges

An organization’s unique challenges around talent shortage requires a personalized approach. As workforce experts, ManpowerGroup finds work for millions of people every year across 80 countries, helping hundreds of thousands of companies attract, assess, develop, and retain skilled workers.

Find out how we can help your organization find and retain the best talent in this digital age.

About the Survey

ManpowerGroup commissioned Infocorp to carry out quantitative research in surveying 39,195 employers across six industry sectors in 43 countries and territories:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and USA.

Data analysis was conducted by Reputation Leaders.

Compare Talent Shortages Over Time

Talent shortages are at their highest level since 2006. Explore the tool below to find out how your country's skills shortage has changed over time and how it compares to the global data.

Explore In-demand Roles by Country

Skilled trades, sales reps, engineers, drivers and technicians consistently rank among the hardest roles to fill. See what the most in-demand roles are in your country.

Talent Shortage by Company Size

Top Drivers of Talent Shortage

What Does Success Look Like?

Learn how ManpowerGroup has helped organizations from around the world address their toughest talent shortage challenges.

North America: A Unique Combination Delivers a Successful Volume Recruiting Strategy

One of the world’s largest food and beverage companies was struggling to fill several thousand roles in a short period of time.

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New Zealand: End-to-End Support Enables IT Firm to Source Hard-to-Find Talent

A leading provider of IT products and services experienced challenges recruiting highly specialized talent.

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View Talent Shortages Around the World

No country is immune to the skills gap, but the level of difficulty employers have filling roles varies. View the map below to see where the talent shortages are most acute and where employers have the least trouble filling roles. No country is immune to the skills gap, but the level of difficulty employers have filling roles varies. Select a country or territory to see where the talent shortages are most acute and where employers have the least trouble filling roles

Thank you!

We appreciate the opportunity to discuss your workforce strategy.

A representative from ManpowerGroup will contact you in the next few days.

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Solving the Talent Shortage

Find out more

Global Talent Shortage at 12-Year High

Which Roles Are the Hardest to Fill?

Talent Shortage by Company Size

Why Roles Remain Unfilled