According to the latest EURES report published by the European Labour Authority (ELA), labour shortages remain a significant challenge across Europe and are increasingly becoming a structural issue. Beyond the post-pandemic recovery, shortages are now driven by demographic change, skills mismatches, working conditions, and limited labour mobility.
For the tourism and hospitality sector, the report highlights that chefs and cooks continue to rank among the occupations facing labour shortages in many European countries. While the most acute post-pandemic pressures have eased in several markets, attracting and retaining qualified professionals remains a major challenge.
The report emphasises that addressing labour shortages requires more than recruitment alone. Strengthening workforce skills, improving working conditions, retaining employees, and making greater use of digital solutions are all essential to enhancing the sector's long-term resilience and competitiveness (European Labour Authority).
