U.S. Talent Shortage
69% of employers said they are struggling to find the skilled talent they need.
2026
Share
Hiring Difficulty by Industry
The manufacturing industry faces the most significant talent shortages, with three in four employers struggling to fill roles.
Talent Shortage by Company Size
Hiring challenges expand with company size and are most pronounced among large organizations.
76%
1,000-4,999 Employees
74%
250-999 Employees
69%
50-249 Employees
66%
10-49 Employees
61%
Less than 10
Employees
75%
5,000+ Employees
Almost seven in ten employers reported difficulty finding the talent they need, a slight improvement from the previous year.
Changes Over Time
75%
Manufacturing
72%
Information
72%
Professional, Scientific & Tech Services
68%
Finance & Insurance
68%
Utilities & Natural Resources
67%
Construction & Real Estate
67%
Public Sector, Health & Social Services
65%
Hospitality
Want to see more of what's shaping today's workforce? Visit Workforce Intelligence Lab
Talent shortages transcend borders, affecting the hiring plans of more than 39,000 employers across 41 countries.
Talent Scarcity Around the World
GLOBAL
TALENT
SHORTAGE
72%
Top 5
TALENT SHORTAGES
SLOVAKIA 87%
GREECE 84%
JAPAN 84%
GERMANY 83%
INDIA 82%
Bottom 5
TALENT SHORTAGES
COLOMBIA 61%
CZECH REPUBLIC 61%
FINLAND 60%
POLAND 57%
CHINA 48%
View All Countries
About the Survey
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries and industries, and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, whose information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.
Press Release
Press Release
Contact Us
Contact Us
ManpowerGroup’s expert family of brands - Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions - are creators of talent at scale across 75 countries and territories, connecting millions of people to meaningful work and hundreds of thousands of organizations to skilled talent.
ManpowerGroup delivers solutions across the HR lifecycle.
Career
Management
Career
Transition
Top Talent Attraction
Workforce Consulting & Analytics
Workforce
Management
Talent Resourcing
Learn More
The ManpowerGroup Work Intelligence Lab is committed to researching global workforce trends to empower both employers and workers to build a brighter future of work. The Work Intelligence Lab provides a global forum for our clients, workforce experts and strategic partners to share insights, discuss challenges and co-create best practices.
View All Countries
2016
2018
2019
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2026
46%
46%
69%
32%
74%
75%
70%
71%
69%
ManpowerGroup interviewed 39,063 employers in 41 countries:
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), United Kingdom (U.K.), United States of America (U.S.).
The fieldwork was completed in all markets between October 1 – 31, 2025.
Trade & Logistics
70%
The annual Talent Shortage Survey was not conducted in 2017 and 2020.
Slovakia
Greece
Japan
Germany
India
Portugal
Ireland
Brazil
Romania
Spain
Switzerland
Türkiye
U.A.E.
Israel
Puerto Rico
France
Norway
Belgium
Hungary
Sweden
The Netherlands
U.K.
Canada
Italy
Costa Rica
Taiwan
Mexico
Hong Kong
Australia
Panama
Argentina
Peru
Chile
Guatemala
Colombia
Czech Republic
Finland
Poland
China
50%
60%
70%
80%
Singapore
Slovakia
87%
Greece
84%
84%
Japan
Germany
83%
India
82%
Portugal
82%
Ireland
81%
Brazil
80%
Romania
79%
Spain
78%
Switzerland
78%
Türkiye
78%
U.A.E.
76%
Israel
75%
Puerto Rico
75%
France
74%
Norway
74%
Belgium
73%
Hungary
73%
Sweden
73%
The Netherlands
73%
U.K.
73%
Canada
71%
Singapore
71%
Italy
70%
Costa Rica
68%
Taiwan
68%
Mexico
67%
Hong Kong
66%
Australia
65%
Panama
65%
Argentina
64%
Peru
63%
Chile
62%
Guatemala
62%
Colombia
61%
Czech Republic
61%
Finland
60%
Poland
57%
China
48%
Learn More
GLOBAL
TALENT
SHORTAGE
72%
40%
45%
54%
69%
75%
75%
75%
74%
U.S.
U.S.
69%
50%
60%
70%
87%
84%
84%
83%
82%
82%
81%
80%
79%
78%
78%
78%
76%
75%
75%
74%
74%
73%
73%
73%
73%
73%
71%
71%
Italy
70%
69%
68%
68%
68%
66%
65%
65%
64%
63%
62%
62%
61%
61%
61%
57%
Download Report
Share
Download Report