Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus recorded 63 occupations with labour shortages and 11 with labour surpluses in 2024, according to the EURES Labour Shortages and Surpluses Report 2025. The report said persistent gaps remained across the technology, tourism and healthcare sectors.
Shortages concentrated in healthcare and technology
The report, published on Monday, showed that labour shortages in Cyprus covered a broad range of professions, with the most severe gaps concentrated in healthcare and digital technology roles.
Among the most affected occupations were nurses, midwives, information and communications technology sales professionals, systems analysts, software and applications developers, web and multimedia developers, medical imaging technicians, waiters and bus drivers.
Moderate shortages across tourism, retail and construction
Moderate shortages were also recorded in roles linked to tourism, retail and construction activity, including restaurant managers, retail and wholesale managers, accountants, electricians, electronics and mechanical technicians, chefs, shop sales assistants and cashiers.
The report also highlighted shortages in construction and industrial trades, including builders, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, welders, heavy goods vehicle drivers, cleaners, and workers in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and construction-related services.
Lower severity shortages in additional roles
Lower severity shortages were identified in occupations including health and care service managers, engineers across multiple disciplines, general and specialist doctors, hotel reception staff, cooks, health care assistants, carpenters, plumbers, electrical fitters, bakers and kitchen assistants.
The report said many of these roles are closely tied to Cyprus’ tourism-driven economy.
EU-wide mismatches remain
At European level, the report said labour shortages are widespread but concentrated in a relatively small number of member states, indicating that cross-border labour mobility remains underused.
It added that in countries such as Bulgaria, Italy and the Netherlands, employers face difficulties filling a wide range of positions from doctors to welders, with 57 per cent of shortages classified as moderate or severe.
By contrast, countries including Latvia, Austria and Finland reported more frequent labour surpluses, particularly in administrative and creative occupations, reflecting uneven labour distribution across the European Union.
According to the data, 98 per cent of occupations experiencing shortages in at least one member state also show surpluses in another, underscoring significant mismatches within the EU labour market.