By the end of 2025, the shortage of workers in Spain emerged as one of the country’s most pressing economic challenges. More than 152,000 jobs remain unfilled, already affecting the operations of entire sectors. The issue is not just about numbers—crucial industries that millions rely on for daily life are at stake.
The situation is particularly evident in healthcare, construction, transportation, and the service sector. Despite the persistently high official unemployment rate, employers face a paradox: finding suitable staff is increasingly difficult. As a result, many companies are forced to scale back work or even abandon new projects.
Market trends
Over the past decade, the number of unfilled vacancies in Spain has nearly tripled. In 2014, there were just over 56,000, while by 2024 that figure had risen to nearly 150,000. By the end of 2025, according to national statistics, the number of open positions reached 152,000. This amounts to less than 1% of all jobs, but for certain sectors, the consequences are critical.
There is particular concern over the fact that a third of all unfilled positions are in the public sector. The shortage of staff for care of the elderly and the sick is dire—80% of these roles should be filled by public institution employees. However, attracting candidates willing to work under these conditions is becoming increasingly difficult.
Recruitment challenges
Only 2% of job openings are filled without major difficulties. Nearly 80% of employers encounter serious challenges when searching for staff, and about 19% of positions remain vacant altogether. The shortage is most acute among waiters, cooks, construction workers, drivers, nurses, caregivers, and family doctors.
The reasons for this situation lie in demographic changes, outdated vocational training programs, and workers’ reluctance to accept the working conditions offered. This is especially evident in construction and the hospitality industry, where conditions often fall short of job seekers’ expectations. In agriculture, the problem is compounded by the fact that many Spaniards prefer seasonal work in France, where both pay and conditions are more attractive.
Migration and foreign labor
Amid the shortage of local workers, foreigners are playing an increasingly important role. In 2025, nearly 26,000 migrants arrived in Spain through collective hiring programs. The majority are women from Morocco employed in agriculture. These measures help partially meet labor demands but do not fully resolve the problem.
There are also other tools, such as a special list of professions in which hiring foreigners is allowed without competition from local candidates. This list includes rare specialties like marine pilots, ship’s engineers, and cooks for work on vessels. However, even these measures don’t always yield the desired results.
Business reaction
The business community is growing increasingly concerned. Company leaders and industry associations warn that staff shortages are already affecting growth rates and competitiveness. In some regions, employers are forced to turn down orders or reduce working hours to avoid disruptions in client service.
At the same time, pressure on government bodies is rising: entrepreneurs are demanding a more flexible workforce training system and a rapid adaptation of educational programs to real market needs. According to experts, without this, the situation may only worsen.
In recent years, Spain has already faced similar challenges. For example, in 2023, there was also an acute shortage of workers in construction and agriculture, leading to delays in major infrastructure projects and harvest collection. At that time, the authorities increased quotas for attracting foreign labor and simplified document processing procedures. However, despite these measures, the problem did not disappear—it merely shifted to other sectors. In 2024, similar difficulties arose in healthcare and the service industry, where employers were forced to offer additional bonuses and raise salaries to attract new staff. All of this indicates that Spain’s labor market is undergoing a profound transformation, the consequences of which are still difficult to predict.
