Brussels, 16 July 2025
Labour and skills shortages in the EU
In the context of the European Semester, ministers held a policy debate on labour and skills shortages in the EU. The debate followed up on the Commission’s action plan and focused on increasing employment levels among groups currently underrepresented in the labour market, such as young people and older workers.
During the debate, ministers shared the main short- and medium-term challenges posed by labour shortages in their countries. These included shortages in key areas such as healthcare, IT, engineering, and construction, and the need to adapt to the green and digital transitions. They described measures they had already taken to increase employment levels among young people and older workers, such as setting up job-matching platforms, improving working conditions and work-life balance, incentivising employers to provide upskilling and lifelong-learning opportunities, and introducing a flexible retirement age. They also discussed other ways to address these shortages, including relevant calls for action, potential employment policy measures, and effective use of public and private resources.
Labour and skills shortages currently represent the greatest employment challenge in the European Union, and are a significant obstacle to growth. If we want to create a sustainable economy and improve our competitiveness, we need to mobilise the untapped potential of the EU’s workforce by helping underrepresented groups gain access to employment opportunities.
Sándor Czomba, Hungarian Minister of State for Employment Policy
- European Semester 2024: Labour and skills shortages in the EU (presidency background note)
- Labour and skills shortages in the EU: an action plan (Commission communication)
- Watch the public session
European Semester
As part of the European Semester cycle, the Council approved the employment and social policy aspects of the country-specific recommendations for each member state. They also endorsed the opinion of the employment and social protection committees on the assessment of the country-specific recommendations for 2024 and the implementation of the country-specific recommendations for 2023.
- Council recommendations on the economic, social, employment, structural and budgetary policies of member states
- European Semester (background information)
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Social inclusion of persons with disabilities: supporting labour market (re)integration
The Council held a policy debate on the role of labour market (re)integration in fostering social inclusion of persons with disabilities at the EU and national level. Ministers presented the initiatives already in place in their countries to help increase the employment rate for persons with disabilities, including national targets, quotas, incentives for employers and career mentoring schemes. They exchanged views on the most important measures and policy tools to promote quality and equal employment of persons with disabilities in the open labour market, such as awareness-raising campaigns and exchange of best practices between EU member states. They also considered the role of the Commission in supporting member states to implement the 2021-2030 Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Social inclusion of persons with disabilities at the EU and national level: supporting labour market (re)integration (presidency background note)
- Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030
- Watch the public session
Other business
Czechia, supported by Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, shared information on the need to ensure rapid pension protection for persons who have exercised their freedom of movement in the EU, bring this issue to the attention of the Council.
- Ensuring rapid pension protection for persons who have exercised their freedom of movement within the EU – information from Czechia, supported by Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia
- Watch the public session
Informal lunch debate
Over lunch, an informal debate took place on the topic of territorial cohesion for promoting social inclusion. Ministers exchanged views on how to make the best use of available resources, such as EU funds for reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion of vulnerable marginalised groups. They also shared best practices for reducing territorial inequalities, particularly as regards access to employment and social services.
Preparatory documents
Outcome documents
Source – EU Commission