Bulgaria Faces Deepening Labor Shortages Across Key Sectors

The latest market survey from the Employment Agency indicates a persistent high demand for labor in Bulgaria, both in the short and long term. However, the need for workers varies significantly across different sectors and professions. Construction workers have surged to the forefront, replacing machine operators, while the tourism sector shows a decline in demand. Additionally, there is a notable increase in the need for teachers in higher education, contrasting with a reduced demand for healthcare workers. The ongoing shortage of staff underlines the pressing need for reforms in education and labor market policies to tackle these structural challenges.

According to the survey responses from employers, the challenges associated with hiring new employees are intensifying. In 2024, 66.7% of employers reported difficulties in recruitment, a slight increase from 64% in the previous year. The primary reason for these challenges remains the inadequate qualifications, education, and skills among available candidates, as noted by 43% of employers. Furthermore, the shortage of individuals of working age is becoming increasingly critical; 16% of employers reported having no available candidates, and an additional 12% cited a lack of applicants for specific open positions. It's important to highlight that these issues pertain only to the 14% of companies actively seeking new hires, while the remainder do not view expanding their workforce as feasible or necessary.

The immediate demand for labor in various sectors is also undergoing considerable transformation. While industry accounts for 36% of the total demand of 212,000 workers, the construction sector now ranks second at 21%, overtaking trade, transport, and tourism, which collectively account for 20%....