Leiden, Netherlands, 14 September 2026 – A SkiLMeeT indicator framework gives researchers and policymakers a more complete way to analyse labour and skills shortages and mismatches across Europe by bringing together evidence that is often considered separately.
Presented in the Synthesis Report of SkiLMeeT Indicators, by Ronald Bachmann and Serife Yasar of RWI, the framework draws on indicators developed by SkiLMeeT to measure workers’ skills and job tasks, green and digital skill demand, AI exposure, labour and skill shortages and mismatches, occupational similarities and mobility, matching efficiency, and future employment and labour demand.
The framework reflects that labour shortages, skill shortages, and skills mismatches are related but distinct problems. A labour shortage occurs when too few workers are available relative to demand, while a skill shortage arises when too few workers have the skills employers need. Skills mismatch is broader, including situations where workers lack required skills, have underused skills, or are employed where their skills do not match demand. Distinguishing between these problems is important for interpreting labour-market pressures and identifying what may be driving them.
A high number of vacancies, for example, does not reveal whether employers face a general lack of workers, shortages of specific skills, limited mobility between occupations or difficulties matching jobseekers with available positions. By combining evidence from different indicators, the SkiLMeeT framework can help distinguish between these underlying problems.
The set of indicators also distinguishes between the skills workers possess, the tasks they perform and occupations’ exposure to transformations such as digitalisation, the increased use of AI and the green transition. They also help capture changes within occupations as well as shifts between occupations.
Indicators measuring similarities and mobility between occupations can further identify potential pathways into related jobs, helping assess where training, reskilling or mobility support may be most effective. Employment forecasts add a forward-looking perspective by helping assess whether current education and training pathways are likely to meet future labour demand.
The main value of the SkiLMeeT approach lies in combining complementary evidence. Rather than relying on a single measure, the framework can help researchers and policymakers identify labour-market pressures, diagnose their potential drivers and assess possible responses.
Ronald Bachmann and Serife Yasar (2026). Synthesis Report of SkiLMeeT Indicators, SkiLMeeT Deliverable D3.8.
Read the report here.
