Global Talent Shortage Reaches Turning Point as AI Skills Claim Top Spot

Core Insights - The 2026 Talent Shortage Survey indicates that AI skills have become the most difficult for employers to find globally, surpassing traditional engineering and IT skills, with 72% of employers reporting hiring difficulties, a slight decrease from 74% the previous year [1][2] Group 1: Talent Shortage Overview - 72% of employers report difficulty filling roles, reflecting a significant shift in the talent landscape towards AI capabilities [1] - The largest companies (1,000-4,999 employees) report a 75% shortage rate, which is 11 percentage points higher than the smallest firms (under 10 employees at 64%) [1][2] - The Information industry faces the highest shortage at 75%, followed closely by Hospitality and Public Sector, Health & Social Services at 74% [1][2] Group 2: Employer Strategies - 91% of employers are employing a mix of strategies to address talent shortages, focusing on internal development and flexibility [1] - The leading strategies include Upskilling/Reskilling (27%), Schedule Flexibility (20%), and Location Flexibility (18%) [1][2] - To compete externally, Increasing Wages (19%) and Targeting New Talent Pools (18%) are critical strategies [1][2] Group 3: Skills Demand - AI Model & Application Development (20%) and AI Literacy (19%) are now the hardest-to-find skills, displacing traditional IT & Data skills which have fallen to seventh place [1][2] - Core human skills such as Communication, Collaboration & Teamwork (39%), Professionalism & Work Ethic (36%), and Adaptability & Willingness to Learn (34%) remain in high demand [1][2] Group 4: Geographic Variations - Talent scarcity varies significantly by location, with Germany (83%), France (74%), and the U.K. (73%) facing the most significant shortages, while the U.S. (69%) is slightly below the global average [1][2] - China (48%) is noted as the least constrained major market, indicating a fragmented global landscape [1][2]