labour shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

'labour shortage' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the context of business/economics when referring to a lack of available or skilled workers. For example, "The company is not able to expand due to a labour shortage in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps the best-known piece of legislation was the Statute of Labourers of 1351, which addressed the labour shortage problem caused by the Black Death.

Wikipedia

"There's actually a labour shortage".

The Economist

I'm very worried about the labour shortage.

The Guardian

The labour shortage also forced technological innovation.

The Guardian - Books

As the labour shortage begins to bite, the demand for immigrants should rise.

The Economist

By 1937 Germany was beginning to suffer from a labour shortage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because despite all that, it has a chronic labour shortage that it is struggling to plug.

Independent

Dianne Feinstein, the senior senator from California, has described the labour shortage as a disaster.

The Economist

If the pay was more reasonable, there would be no labour shortage, regardless of Brexit.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was a labour shortage (hence the policy of encouraging migration from former colonies).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, most analysts agree that the labour shortage caused by the amnesty programme will be short-lived.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "labour shortage", specify the industry or sector affected for clarity. For example, "a labour shortage in the construction industry".

Common error

Avoid stating that there is a "labour shortage" without specifying the geographical area or industry. A shortage in one region or sector doesn't necessarily indicate a universal problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "labour shortage" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific economic condition where the demand for workers exceeds the available supply. This is supported by Ludwig's examples that consistently use the phrase to describe such situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "labour shortage" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a situation where the demand for workers exceeds the available supply. Ludwig's analysis shows it's frequently found in news, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. Related terms include "worker scarcity" and "skills gap". When using the phrase, it's best to specify the affected industry or region to provide clarity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability in diverse contexts, making it a reliable term for discussing economic and workforce issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worker scarcity

A more direct substitution, replacing "labor" with "worker" for simplicity.

personnel shortage

Replaces "labour" with the more general term "personnel", referring to employees.

workforce deficit

Replaces "shortage" with "deficit", highlighting the insufficient number of workers.

inadequate workforce

Indicates that the current workforce is insufficient to meet the demands.

employment shortfall

Focuses on the insufficient number of employed individuals to meet the demands of the economy.

manpower scarcity

Uses more formal synonyms for "labor" and "shortage", indicating a lack of available personnel.

staffing crisis

Highlights the severity of the shortage, suggesting a critical lack of personnel.

limited labour pool

Emphasizes the restricted availability of workers in the market.

skills gap

Emphasizes the lack of necessary skills in the available workforce, rather than just a lack of workers.

lack of skilled workers

Specifically addresses the absence of workers with the required skills, shifting the focus from quantity to quality.

FAQs

What are some other ways to describe a lack of available workers?

You can use phrases such as "worker scarcity", "personnel shortage", or "inadequate workforce" to describe a similar situation.

How does "skills gap" differ from "labour shortage"?

"Skills gap" refers to a mismatch between the skills employers need and the skills that workers possess, while "labour shortage" simply indicates there are not enough workers available, regardless of their skills.

What are the typical causes of a "labour shortage"?

A "labour shortage" can be caused by various factors, including an aging population, low birth rates, increased demand for workers in specific industries, or restrictive immigration policies.

Is "labor shortage" the same as "labour shortage"?

"Labor shortage" is the American spelling, while "labour shortage" is the British spelling. Both terms refer to the same phenomenon: a deficiency in the supply of workers.