Eurobarometer - SMEs and skill shortages

Skill shortages in SMEs

Skills shortages represent a serious problem for the smallest to mid-sized companies in the EU, being identified as such by 53% of micro companies, 65% of small companies and 68% of medium-sized companies.

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Impact of skills shortages

Increased workload for existing staff is identified by the overall largest share of SMEs (48%) as a consequence of skills shortages in their company. The proportion selecting this impact is higher in medium-sized companies (55%) than in smaller SMEs (47%-49%). Increased workload for existing staff is the most-cited impact of skills shortages in almost all Member States and the proportion selecting this impact ranges from 13% in Lithuania to 60% in Belgium.

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