EU targets women, migrants, and people with disabilities to tackle labour shortages
The European Union is turning its attention to underrepresented groups—particularly women, older workers, migrants, and people with disabilities—as it works to address a growing labour and skills shortage across the continent. According to Roxana Minzatu, European Commissioner for Social Rights and Skills, these groups are “key to addressing the skills and labour shortages in the EU.”
The 2025 Employment and Social Development in Europe (ESDE) report reveals that around 51 million working-age people—roughly one-fifth of the EU’s working-age population—are currently outside the labour market. This figure exceeds the population of Spain, and most of these individuals belong to one of the above-mentioned groups.
Integrating them into the workforce, the Commission argues, is crucial for reaching the EU’s 2030 employment target of a 78% employment rate, as well as supporting broader goals like reducing poverty and strengthening social cohesion.
However, labour market policy is primarily a national responsibility, and the Commission is directing specific recommendations to member states to help bring more people into employment.
Key Challenges and Recommendations
There are around 24.8 million working-age people with disabilities in the EU who are not employed. The Commission recommends measures such as:
Employment quotas
Anti-discrimination laws
Targeted job placement programs
These tools have proven effective in integrating people with disabilities into the labour market.
More than 7 million migrants in the EU are currently excluded from the workforce due to issues like:
Language barriers
Non-recognition of qualifications
Discrimination
Bureaucratic and administrative obstacles
The Commission suggests a mix of solutions, including:
Tax incentives for employers
Job search support
Language training
Simplified work permit processes
Migrants are seen as having essential skills to fill labour shortages, particularly in sectors facing urgent staffing needs.
Women
Despite some progress, 32 million women in the EU remain outside the labour market, often due to:
Unpaid caregiving responsibilities
Lack of accessible childcare
Tax and benefit systems that discourage work
The gender employment gap remains at 10 percentage points between men and women. Expanding childcare services could significantly raise women’s employment rates—by up to 30% in some countries—and boost EU GDP by as much as 1.7%.
A call to action
“We must do more to ensure that everyone can contribute their skills and talents,” said Commissioner Minzatu. She urged national governments to remove barriers, challenge stereotypes, and promote gender equality.
By doing so, the EU could not only ease labour shortages and strengthen competitiveness but also build a more inclusive and equitable society.
