EMN Inform (EN).pdf

The EU faces labour shortages due to rapid technological change, a declining population, and an ageing workforce. To address this, labour market analyses are crucial to determine shortages and monitor labour market developments. Most Member States view migration as part of a wider strategy to address labour shortages, but differ in the importance given to labour migration. Two approaches have been identified: a supply-centred 'human capital' approach and a demand-centred approach. Member States have adopted various policy measures to adjust labour migration policies in light of labour market shortages, including exemptions from labour market tests and quotas. Identifying labour market shortages is a common practice, with twenty-one Member States producing shortage occupation lists. However, monitoring the impact of migration on shortage occupations is limited, with only five Member States having comprehensive measures in place. The scale of unfilled vacancies in the EU is significant, with twelve Member States providing statistics on unfilled vacancies across six pre-selected sectors.