scarcity of labor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcity of labor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a limited supply of workers available for jobs or tasks. Example: "The construction industry is facing a scarcity of labor, leading to delays in project completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

With a scarcity of labor and buildable sites with views and an increase in the demand for houses, prices have risen dramatically in the last 10 years.

The New York Times

That is not counting the robotic lawnmower prowling outside the executive office building — a sign of the scarcity of labor in southwestern Germany, where unemployment is less than 5 percent.

The New York Times

When many households overcome frictions to migrate, even those who stay behind benefit from higher wages in their home communities, thanks to the relative scarcity of labor (Akram, Chowdhury, Mobarak, 2017).

Yale University

In Argentina, the scarcity of labor and abundance of land, relative to Europe, induced a high marginal product of labor.

Latin American Economic Review

Productivity growth and the lack of corporate pricing power more than offset the threat from the scarcity of labor for now.

Forbes

How can there be a developing scarcity of labor when real wages in much of the U.S. economy appear to be static?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Seasonal employers on the East End depend on the H-2B visa program to make up for what they cite as a scarcity of domestic labor.

The New York Times

The country in spite of having solid financial resources, has a scarcity of skilled labor.

WikiHow

The editions will not be limited, but the numbers produced will be restricted by the laborious processes and the scarcity of materials and labor.

The New York Times - Arts

The increasing scarcity of resources (water, labor and energy) and production costs further make the rice-based cropping system less sustainable and less profitable.

Field Crops Research

A New Scarcity of Jobs Some labor experts say the basic functioning of the American economy has changed in ways that make jobs scarce — particularly for older, less-educated people like Ms. Eisen, who has only a high school diploma.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the economic implications of a "scarcity of labor", provide specific examples of industries or regions affected to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcity of labor" when you actually mean high labor costs. Scarcity refers to the limited availability of workers, not necessarily the price they command.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcity of labor" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a situation where there is an insufficient number of workers available to meet the demands of employers. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarcity of labor" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a situation where there are not enough workers to fill available jobs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for formal and professional contexts, particularly in discussions related to economics, business, and social trends. Related phrases include "labor shortage" and "workforce deficit". When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to the availability of workers and not simply the cost of labor. The phrase appears frequently in news media, scientific research, and academic discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor shortage

Replaces "scarcity" with "shortage", emphasizing the lack of available workers.

workforce deficit

Uses "deficit" to highlight the shortfall in the workforce.

lack of manpower

Emphasizes the insufficient number of workers available.

limited labor pool

Focuses on the restricted availability of workers.

inadequate workforce

Highlights the insufficiency in the number of workers.

deficient labor supply

Emphasizes the shortage in the supply of labor.

employee scarcity

Focuses on the shortage of employees.

reduced labor availability

Highlights the reduced availability of workers.

tight labor market

Describes a market condition where there are more jobs than workers.

understaffing

Highlights a situation where there are not enough staff members

FAQs

How does "scarcity of labor" affect the economy?

A "scarcity of labor" can lead to increased wages, project delays, and decreased productivity, ultimately impacting economic growth. Companies may need to invest in automation or find ways to attract more workers.

What are some causes of "scarcity of labor"?

Factors contributing to a "scarcity of labor" include aging populations, low birth rates, lack of skills training, immigration restrictions, and unattractive working conditions.

What are alternatives to "scarcity of labor"?

You can use alternatives like "labor shortage", "workforce deficit", or "lack of manpower" depending on the context.

Is "scarcity of labor" the same as "lack of labor"?

While similar, "scarcity of labor" implies a limited supply relative to demand, whereas "lack of labor" suggests a complete absence. The former is a more nuanced term describing economic pressures.