Central Europe Faces Labour Shortages with Varied Foreign Worker Policies
Central European countries are dealing with growing labour shortages but are at different stages and taking different approaches. The Czech Republic may lack about half a million workers by 2045 and is already short roughly 250,000, according to business groups. Slovakia and Hungary also face demographic pressures, high vacancies and emigration, making foreign workers increasingly important.
A Czech consultancy, Moore CR, projected a half-million-worker shortfall by 2045. After 2030, retirements will accelerate as the large 1970s cohorts leave; annual births then approached 200,000, versus under 80,000 last year. The Czech Chamber of Commerce already sees a 250,000-person gap.
Slovakia combines 4–5% unemployment with skilled emigration and very low births, straining manufacturing and other sectors. Hungary has about 75% of 18–65s employed and loses roughly 30,000 workers yearly. Poland’s 5.8% unemployment and 98,700 vacancies mask regional and occupational gaps, including 17 shortage professions forecast for 2026.
These shortages could affect employers’ ability to sustain operations and expand, while aging populations may increase demand for health and social care. Foreign workers may become more important, but differing policies could shape how quickly migrants integrate and whether sectors such as manufacturing, construction, logistics and care can fill gaps. Communities and public services may face both pressures and opportunities, depending on how labour needs and demographic change are managed.