The report looks at developments for shortage occupations across major regions of the world, strategies that have been applied in various countries to address labour shortages, and the outlook in this area. It has been prepared by the National Employment Office (Office national d’emploi – ONEM) of Belgium for the ISSA Technical Commission on Employment, with contributions from the commission members.  

The most prevalent shortage professions include health care, IT and construction. In these professions high skills are needed, but they are also changing due to rapid technological developments. Digitalization, the gig economy, the global interconnectivity of markets, artificial intelligence, ageing populations, climate change and the green transition, along with experiences such as the COVID-19 pandemic are some of examples of factors that are impacting occupations, access to workers and the required skills.

The report gives insights into how countries and institutions are addressing these challenges, and how this links to social security. The ISSA Guidelines on Sustainable Employment are referred to for its comprehensive section addressing responses to new challenges in the labour market, and the forthcoming ISSA Guidelines on Administrative Solutions for Long-Term Care are expected to address policy measures to address shortages in the health care sector.

The ISSA Technical Seminar: Modern policy making to tackle shortage occupations, which takes place in Brussels, Belgium, 15–16 May 2024, gives a first opportunity to discuss the report, and it will also be addressed in an adjacent webinar on the issue.