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Highly-skilled workers are crucial to modern economies, driving innovation, productivity and growth.
These workers are defined as individuals aged 25-64 employed in managerial, professional, technical, and associate professional roles.
In 2022, around 80 million highly-skilled individuals were employed across the EU, representing 44.2% of the total employed population in the 25-64 age group.
The regional distribution of highly-skilled workers varied significantly. Of the 241 reported regions, 106 met or exceeded the EU average. In 53 regions, at least half of the employed population was considered highly-skilled, with the highest concentrations in capital and urban areas. Notably, 12 of the 14 regions with the highest proportions of highly-skilled workers were capital regions.
The regions with the highest shares of highly-skilled employment in 2022 included Stockholm (Sweden, 73.6%), Utrecht (the Netherlands, 68.9%), Luxembourg (67.4%), and Prov. Brabant Wallon (Belgium, 65.8%). Other capital regions with high shares ranged between 62.6% and 65.6%, including those in Belgium, France, Lithuania, Hungary, Finland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Czechia.
Conversely, rural areas, former industrial heartlands, and peripheral regions had lower shares of highly-skilled workers. In 2022, 24 regions in the EU had less than 29.5% of their employed population aged 25-64 considered highly-skilled. These regions were mainly in the south-eastern part of Europe, including 10 regions in Greece, 6 in Romania, 4 in Bulgaria, 3 sparsely populated regions in southern Spain, and Panonska Hrvatska in Croatia.
The lowest shares of highly-skilled employment were in the Greek regions of Sterea Elláda (21.8%) and Ionia Nisia (22.3%), and the Romanian region of Sud-Muntenia (22.8%).
Tackling labour and skills shortages in the EU
The aging population, coupled with declining birth rates, has led to a shrinking workforce, exacerbating the issue. Additionally, the mismatch between available skills and job requirements has further intensified these shortages. Many businesses are struggling to find qualified workers, which hampers productivity and economic growth.
Labour shortages in the EU have become a pressing concern, impacting various sectors including healthcare, technology, construction, and agriculture.
Foreign workers can play a crucial role in addressing labor shortages and driving economic growth in the EU. By filling gaps in various sectors such as healthcare, technology, construction, and agriculture, they help maintain productivity and support essential services. Foreign workers often bring diverse skills and perspectives, fostering innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of EU businesses on a global scale. Additionally, their contributions to the labour market can alleviate the pressures
of an aging population and declining birth rates, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable workforce. Moreover, the presence of foreign workers promotes cultural exchange and diversity, enriching the social fabric of EU countries. Effective integration policies and support systems are essential to maximize the benefits of foreign workers, ensuring they are well-integrated into the labor market and society.
