worker shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

"worker shortage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a lack of workers in a particular profession or industry. For example, "The factory is experiencing a worker shortage and will need to find more workers soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Looming worker shortage.

The New York Times

"There is no evidence of a worker shortage".

The New York Times

Task shifting explained: a viable solution to health worker shortage?

The Guardian

(NYT) NEW JERSEY TRENTON: WORKER SHORTAGE -- A business group said yesterday that New Jersey businesses were facing the greatest worker shortage in 30 years.

The New York Times

"The idea that there's a worker shortage means the firm isn't raising wages," she says.

The New Yorker

In Liberia there was a critical health worker shortage even before Ebola broke out.

The Guardian

Rising wages suggest the re-emergence of a worker shortage that was becoming evident before the financial crisis.

The New York Times

"The migrant workforce has been the most effective short-term fix for the UK's construction worker shortage".

The Guardian - Business

The worker shortage is especially severe in affluent areas, where young people generally have less need to work.

The New York Times

The worker shortage would be even more acute if the larger properties were not equipped with picking machines.

The New York Times - Food

Around the World: India's Rural Olympics General Motors announces its best sales month in China ever, but the country's looming worker shortage threatens its economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "worker shortage", specify the industry or sector affected to provide clarity and context. For example, "healthcare worker shortage" or "construction worker shortage".

Common error

Avoid stating that there is a general "worker shortage" without specifying which sectors are most affected. This can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate perceptions of the labor market.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worker shortage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the state of having an insufficient number of workers available to meet the demands of an industry or specific job market, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worker shortage" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe a situation where there are not enough workers to fill available jobs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, making it appropriate for various contexts, from news reports and scientific research to business communications. The term’s frequency and broad applicability, underscored by its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicate its importance in contemporary discussions about labor economics. Understanding the nuances of "worker shortage", including its causes, effects, and alternative expressions, is crucial for effective communication in both professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

labor shortage

Emphasizes the broader concept of insufficient labor supply, differing only in word choice from the original query.

workforce deficit

Points to an overall deficiency in the available workforce, similar to labor shortage.

personnel shortage

Refers specifically to the insufficient number of personnel available, similar to staffing deficit.

staffing deficit

Focuses on the lack of staff and implies a numerical gap in personnel.

manpower scarcity

Highlights the limited availability of human resources, particularly in manual labor contexts.

understaffing

Refers to the condition of having fewer staff members than required for optimal operation.

employment gap

Indicates a discrepancy between the number of available jobs and the number of workers to fill them.

lack of qualified applicants

Emphasizes the absence of suitable candidates for job openings, focusing on qualification criteria.

talent drought

Metaphorically describes the scarcity of skilled or talented workers in a particular field.

skills gap

Highlights the lack of necessary skills in the available workforce, rather than a pure numerical shortage.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "worker shortage"?

Alternatives include "labor shortage", "staffing deficit", or "personnel shortage", each carrying slightly different nuances depending on the context.

How does a "worker shortage" affect businesses?

A "worker shortage" can lead to increased labor costs, reduced productivity, delayed project timelines, and difficulty maintaining service quality. It may also force businesses to raise wages to attract and retain employees.

What are the main causes of a "worker shortage"?

Several factors can contribute to a "worker shortage", including an aging population, lack of necessary skills among job seekers ("skills gap"), low wages, unattractive working conditions, and restrictive immigration policies.

Which industries are most prone to "worker shortage"?

Industries like healthcare, construction, hospitality, and technology often face "worker shortage" due to specific skill requirements, demanding work environments, or demographic trends.