HCMC – Nearly 77% of employers in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are struggling to find skilled talent, according to ManpowerGroup’s 2025 talent shortage survey.
This marks a significant increase from 45% in 2014 and surpasses the global average of 74%, highlighting growing concerns for employers across diverse industries.
The survey, which gathered insights from 10,095 employers across APAC, found that the IT sector is experiencing the highest level of talent scarcity, with 81% of IT employers in the region reporting difficulties in finding skilled workers. The engineering sector follows at 27%, while sales and marketing report a 24% shortage.
“The persistent talent shortages highlighted by this report suggest that the talent gap has become a structural issue in the regional labor market, particularly in IT, where the impact is most pronounced,” said François Lançon, regional president of Asia Pacific & Middle East, ManpowerGroup.
The report also emphasizes the growing focus on upskilling and reskilling programs, with 35% of companies prioritizing internal learning and development initiatives to address skill shortages.
According to Manpower Vietnam, the labor shortage is particularly evident in Vietnam’s manufacturing and processing industry, especially in the short term, said Nguyen Thu Trang, head of Manpower brand, ManpowerGroup Vietnam.
“One of the most effective solutions we have implemented is providing fast-track vocational training for workers before onboarding. This approach not only expands job opportunities for unskilled workers but also reduces hiring time and costs for businesses,” she noted.
