GITNUXREPORT 2025

Skills Gap Statistics

Skills gap hampers growth, costing trillions and hindering technological progress.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

45% of jobs will require skilled trades, yet only 15% of youth see skilled trades as a desirable career

Statistic 2

82% of employees believe that developing new skills will help them stay employable

Statistic 3

77% of the global workforce believes upskilling and reskilling are necessary for future employability

Statistic 4

56% of employers find it difficult to find candidates with the right digital skills

Statistic 5

The gender gap in STEM skills persists, with women representing just 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Statistic 6

85% of firms expect to increase their investment in employee training over the next 12 months

Statistic 7

62% of employers say that they are investing more in upskilling and reskilling initiatives

Statistic 8

70% of companies are investing in new training programs to bridge their skills gap, with a focus on digital and technology skills

Statistic 9

68% of companies plan to increase their investment in AI and automation tools to compensate for skills shortages

Statistic 10

Employer training budgets allocate only 2% of payroll expenses on skills development initiatives, indicating underinvestment in addressing skills gaps

Statistic 11

Approximately 69% of executives believe that the skills gap is the biggest threat to their growth potential

Statistic 12

54% of organizations report that they are experiencing a significant skills gap

Statistic 13

89% of employees do not have the skills to do their present jobs

Statistic 14

40% of employers worldwide say that their employees lack the necessary soft skills

Statistic 15

63% of technical jobs will require at least some post-secondary education by 2025

Statistic 16

The US faces a projected shortage of 2.4 million workers with college degrees in emerging fields by 2025

Statistic 17

37% of employers identify a digital skills gap as the main obstacle to deploying new technologies

Statistic 18

42% of employers say that a lack of skilled talent is the reason for their delay in digital transformation projects

Statistic 19

The global skills gap could result in $11.5 trillion in lost annual GDP by 2030

Statistic 20

Nearly 60% of respondents in a survey believe that the skills gap will hinder economic recovery post-pandemic

Statistic 21

In the US, roughly 30 million jobs are at high risk of automation, requiring reskilling

Statistic 22

Only 54% of adults in the US have basic digital literacy skills

Statistic 23

According to a World Economic Forum report, 54% of all employees will require significant retraining by 2025

Statistic 24

The skills gap is most pronounced in the tech industry, with 80% of tech leaders citing talent shortage as a critical issue

Statistic 25

70% of employers report that their new hires lack critical soft skills like communication and teamwork

Statistic 26

The cost of replacing an employee who leaves due to skills mismatch can be up to 33% of their annual salary

Statistic 27

58% of companies report difficulty in filling mid-skilled positions, indicating a skills gap at the operational level

Statistic 28

65% of students and recent graduates report feeling unprepared for the workforce due to skills gaps

Statistic 29

75% of employers say that soft skills are just as important as hard skills when hiring

Statistic 30

The healthcare industry faces a projected shortage of over 200,000 nurses by 2025, driven by skills gap and retirements

Statistic 31

45% of manufacturing companies report a skills shortage impacting production quality

Statistic 32

Only 47% of companies offer ongoing training programs for their employees, which exacerbates the skills gap

Statistic 33

Internationally, 66% of companies report skills shortages in digital and data literacy

Statistic 34

80% of future jobs require some form of post-secondary education or training, yet access remains limited for many populations

Statistic 35

Developing countries face a stark skills gap: only 20% of workers in these regions possess the necessary skills for their jobs

Statistic 36

The cost of workforce skills gaps globally is estimated at over $11 trillion annually in lost productivity

Statistic 37

51% of employers in a survey believe that they are losing revenue because of skills gaps

Statistic 38

60% of employees say they want more training and development opportunities, yet only 34% report receiving sufficient training

Statistic 39

In a survey, 78% of HR professionals identify skills gap as a primary challenge in hiring

Statistic 40

45% of small to medium-sized enterprises report they cannot find workers with the right digital skills

Statistic 41

The average age of blue-collar workers facing skills gaps is 45, indicating an aging workforce in trade sectors

Statistic 42

Only 46% of adults in developing countries have access to quality education necessary to bridge the skills gap

Statistic 43

The automotive industry will require 2.4 million new skilled workers by 2025 to meet demand, according to industry forecasts

Statistic 44

83% of firms report difficulty in adopting AI and automation due to lack of skilled personnel

Statistic 45

The United States' skills gap is most acute in STEM fields, with over 50% of engineering and technology positions unfilled

Statistic 46

52% of recent graduates feel unprepared for the workplace due to skills gaps, especially in communication and technical skills

Statistic 47

61% of employers prioritize soft skills over technical skills when hiring, citing soft skills as crucial for teamwork and leadership

Statistic 48

78% of organizations report internal skills gaps that hinder growth, with a significant portion related to digital competencies

Statistic 49

The global skills mismatch could cost the economy over $15 trillion in lost output by 2030

Statistic 50

67% of manufacturing firms face difficulty in finding skilled tradespeople, impacting production efficiency

Statistic 51

53% of corporate training programs lack alignment with actual business needs, contributing to persistent skills gaps

Statistic 52

Youth unemployment is 2-3 times higher than adult unemployment in many countries, partly due to skills mismatches

Statistic 53

55% of companies see online learning as an effective way to bridge the skills gap, especially during remote work scenarios

Statistic 54

74% of organizations report that the skills gap has increased in the past five years, with digital skills being the most affected

Statistic 55

Only 39% of low-income students graduate from college, indicating a disparity in skills development opportunities

Statistic 56

The cost of unfilled skilled labor positions in the manufacturing sector alone is estimated at $1 trillion annually across the globe

Statistic 57

60% of healthcare providers report a skills gap impacting patient care quality, particularly in emerging medical technologies

Statistic 58

48% of companies say they experience challenges in training older workers, which affects their ability to keep skills up-to-date

Statistic 59

The digital skills gap is most acute in Africa, with only 20% of the workforce having basic digital skills

Statistic 60

Over 75% of employers worldwide say that the skills gap impacts their ability to innovate and compete effectively

Statistic 61

The construction industry faces a shortage of 1.5 million skilled workers globally, slowing infrastructure development

Statistic 62

42% of recent college graduates report feeling unprepared for the technical requirements of their jobs, highlighting a skills gap during transition to employment

Statistic 63

80% of small businesses report difficulties recruiting employees with adequate digital skills, emphasizing the skills gap in the SME sector

Statistic 64

The skills gap varies significantly by region, with Asia experiencing the largest shortages in IT and engineering skills

Statistic 65

Only 35% of workers in developing countries receive adequate training, aggravating the global skills gap

Statistic 66

The financial sector faces a skills shortfall in cybersecurity skills, with 70% of firms unable to find qualified candidates

Statistic 67

72% of organizational change initiatives fail due to inadequate skills among employees, highlighting the importance of skills development

Statistic 68

65% of job seekers feel that their skills are not aligned with current market demand, pointing to a widespread skills mismatch

Statistic 69

54% of companies report that skills gaps delay project timelines and reduce productivity, impacting overall business output

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Key Highlights

Approximately 69% of executives believe that the skills gap is the biggest threat to their growth potential
54% of organizations report that they are experiencing a significant skills gap
89% of employees do not have the skills to do their present jobs
56% of employers find it difficult to find candidates with the right digital skills
40% of employers worldwide say that their employees lack the necessary soft skills
63% of technical jobs will require at least some post-secondary education by 2025
The US faces a projected shortage of 2.4 million workers with college degrees in emerging fields by 2025
45% of jobs will require skilled trades, yet only 15% of youth see skilled trades as a desirable career
85% of firms expect to increase their investment in employee training over the next 12 months
37% of employers identify a digital skills gap as the main obstacle to deploying new technologies
42% of employers say that a lack of skilled talent is the reason for their delay in digital transformation projects
The global skills gap could result in $11.5 trillion in lost annual GDP by 2030
Nearly 60% of respondents in a survey believe that the skills gap will hinder economic recovery post-pandemic

With nearly 7 in 10 executives worldwide viewing the skills gap as the biggest threat to growth and billions lost annually in productivity, it’s clear that bridging the talent divide is not just an urgent business challenge but a global economic imperative.

Employee Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Skills

45% of jobs will require skilled trades, yet only 15% of youth see skilled trades as a desirable career
82% of employees believe that developing new skills will help them stay employable
77% of the global workforce believes upskilling and reskilling are necessary for future employability

Employee Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Skills Interpretation

With 82% of workers recognizing that upskilling is key to staying employable and only 15% of youth eyeing skilled trades, it’s clear that bridging the gap between perception and reality in career aspirations is the trades' most urgent skill — and marketing — challenge.

Employer Challenges in Talent Acquisition and Development

56% of employers find it difficult to find candidates with the right digital skills

Employer Challenges in Talent Acquisition and Development Interpretation

With over half of employers struggling to find candidates with the right digital skills, it's clear that building a digitally savvy workforce isn't just a necessity—it's a hiring crisis in the making.

Gender and Diversity Issues in Skills Development

The gender gap in STEM skills persists, with women representing just 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Gender and Diversity Issues in Skills Development Interpretation

The persistent gender gap in STEM, with women comprising only 28% of the workforce, underscores the urgent need for targeted efforts to bridge the skill divide and unlock untapped potential in innovation.

Organizational Investment in Training and Upskilling

85% of firms expect to increase their investment in employee training over the next 12 months
62% of employers say that they are investing more in upskilling and reskilling initiatives
70% of companies are investing in new training programs to bridge their skills gap, with a focus on digital and technology skills
68% of companies plan to increase their investment in AI and automation tools to compensate for skills shortages
Employer training budgets allocate only 2% of payroll expenses on skills development initiatives, indicating underinvestment in addressing skills gaps

Organizational Investment in Training and Upskilling Interpretation

Despite overwhelming employer enthusiasm for upskilling and automation, with over 70% ramping up digital and AI training, the stark reality remains that only a mere 2% of payrolls are allocated to skills development, revealing a dissonance between ambition and investment that could impede closing the skills gap.

Workforce Skills and Competency Gaps

Approximately 69% of executives believe that the skills gap is the biggest threat to their growth potential
54% of organizations report that they are experiencing a significant skills gap
89% of employees do not have the skills to do their present jobs
40% of employers worldwide say that their employees lack the necessary soft skills
63% of technical jobs will require at least some post-secondary education by 2025
The US faces a projected shortage of 2.4 million workers with college degrees in emerging fields by 2025
37% of employers identify a digital skills gap as the main obstacle to deploying new technologies
42% of employers say that a lack of skilled talent is the reason for their delay in digital transformation projects
The global skills gap could result in $11.5 trillion in lost annual GDP by 2030
Nearly 60% of respondents in a survey believe that the skills gap will hinder economic recovery post-pandemic
In the US, roughly 30 million jobs are at high risk of automation, requiring reskilling
Only 54% of adults in the US have basic digital literacy skills
According to a World Economic Forum report, 54% of all employees will require significant retraining by 2025
The skills gap is most pronounced in the tech industry, with 80% of tech leaders citing talent shortage as a critical issue
70% of employers report that their new hires lack critical soft skills like communication and teamwork
The cost of replacing an employee who leaves due to skills mismatch can be up to 33% of their annual salary
58% of companies report difficulty in filling mid-skilled positions, indicating a skills gap at the operational level
65% of students and recent graduates report feeling unprepared for the workforce due to skills gaps
75% of employers say that soft skills are just as important as hard skills when hiring
The healthcare industry faces a projected shortage of over 200,000 nurses by 2025, driven by skills gap and retirements
45% of manufacturing companies report a skills shortage impacting production quality
Only 47% of companies offer ongoing training programs for their employees, which exacerbates the skills gap
Internationally, 66% of companies report skills shortages in digital and data literacy
80% of future jobs require some form of post-secondary education or training, yet access remains limited for many populations
Developing countries face a stark skills gap: only 20% of workers in these regions possess the necessary skills for their jobs
The cost of workforce skills gaps globally is estimated at over $11 trillion annually in lost productivity
51% of employers in a survey believe that they are losing revenue because of skills gaps
60% of employees say they want more training and development opportunities, yet only 34% report receiving sufficient training
In a survey, 78% of HR professionals identify skills gap as a primary challenge in hiring
45% of small to medium-sized enterprises report they cannot find workers with the right digital skills
The average age of blue-collar workers facing skills gaps is 45, indicating an aging workforce in trade sectors
Only 46% of adults in developing countries have access to quality education necessary to bridge the skills gap
The automotive industry will require 2.4 million new skilled workers by 2025 to meet demand, according to industry forecasts
83% of firms report difficulty in adopting AI and automation due to lack of skilled personnel
The United States' skills gap is most acute in STEM fields, with over 50% of engineering and technology positions unfilled
52% of recent graduates feel unprepared for the workplace due to skills gaps, especially in communication and technical skills
61% of employers prioritize soft skills over technical skills when hiring, citing soft skills as crucial for teamwork and leadership
78% of organizations report internal skills gaps that hinder growth, with a significant portion related to digital competencies
The global skills mismatch could cost the economy over $15 trillion in lost output by 2030
67% of manufacturing firms face difficulty in finding skilled tradespeople, impacting production efficiency
53% of corporate training programs lack alignment with actual business needs, contributing to persistent skills gaps
Youth unemployment is 2-3 times higher than adult unemployment in many countries, partly due to skills mismatches
55% of companies see online learning as an effective way to bridge the skills gap, especially during remote work scenarios
74% of organizations report that the skills gap has increased in the past five years, with digital skills being the most affected
Only 39% of low-income students graduate from college, indicating a disparity in skills development opportunities
The cost of unfilled skilled labor positions in the manufacturing sector alone is estimated at $1 trillion annually across the globe
60% of healthcare providers report a skills gap impacting patient care quality, particularly in emerging medical technologies
48% of companies say they experience challenges in training older workers, which affects their ability to keep skills up-to-date
The digital skills gap is most acute in Africa, with only 20% of the workforce having basic digital skills
Over 75% of employers worldwide say that the skills gap impacts their ability to innovate and compete effectively
The construction industry faces a shortage of 1.5 million skilled workers globally, slowing infrastructure development
42% of recent college graduates report feeling unprepared for the technical requirements of their jobs, highlighting a skills gap during transition to employment
80% of small businesses report difficulties recruiting employees with adequate digital skills, emphasizing the skills gap in the SME sector
The skills gap varies significantly by region, with Asia experiencing the largest shortages in IT and engineering skills
Only 35% of workers in developing countries receive adequate training, aggravating the global skills gap
The financial sector faces a skills shortfall in cybersecurity skills, with 70% of firms unable to find qualified candidates
72% of organizational change initiatives fail due to inadequate skills among employees, highlighting the importance of skills development
65% of job seekers feel that their skills are not aligned with current market demand, pointing to a widespread skills mismatch
54% of companies report that skills gaps delay project timelines and reduce productivity, impacting overall business output

Workforce Skills and Competency Gaps Interpretation

With nearly three-quarters of organizations crippled by skills gaps—especially in digital and soft skills—the global economy risks over $11 trillion in lost growth by 2030, proving that investing in workforce development is less of an option and more of an urgent necessity for sustainable progress.