The report outlines employment trends, skills shortages, and training needs in the EU construction sector. It emphasises the growing demand for workers, the importance of education and upskilling, and the role of energy‑efficiency objectives in shaping future workforce requirements.
The European Construction Observatory has published an analytical report assessing skills gaps, labour trends and future workforce needs across the EU construction ecosystem. The publication notes that employment recovered after the COVID‑19 pandemic, reaching 13.8 million workers in construction activities in 2024, with a further 2.8 million employed in architectural, engineering and testing services.
The report identifies several structural pressures, including labour shortages across blue‑ and white‑collar roles, declining productivity and the predominance of micro‑enterprises. It also highlights demographic shifts, with an ageing workforce and a gradual increase in women’s participation in the sector.
According to the analysis, demand for workers is expected to rise due to economic, climate and energy‑efficiency objectives. Meeting investment targets could require around 3.6 million additional workers by 2030, with an estimated 11 million new workers needing training to replace job leavers and support renovation and circular‑economy practices.
