Bulgarian businesses will need around 262 workers and specialists in the next 12 months, according to a survey conducted by the Employment Agency together with the regional employment commissions of 28 regional development councils between May and July.

Employers report a need for 261.926 workers and specialists over the next 12 months with skills and knowledge in a range of professional areas that will be required for businesses to operate effectively. This is nearly 9.3% of the currently employed workforce.

Compared to the results of the 2023 surveys, there is a slight decrease in declared labor needs of 2.6% or about 7000 fewer workers and specialists. Compared to the record employment average of 2019, demand in 2024 is at 82% of that in 2019.

The survey gathered important information on the attitudes of Bulgarian businesses towards the expected competencies and skills of the workforce. One in four employers ranked personal and social competence as the most important factor for business success, followed by language and entrepreneurial competence, with 17% and 12% respectively.

For 87% of businesses, self-control and discipline are the most necessary skills for staff to have. Employers (85%) ranked teamwork and communication skills second most important.

The survey results also show that 59.219 firms will hire new staff in the next 12 months. Compared to the 2023 survey, the number has increased by 3.919 or 7.1%.

The percentage of employers who declare that they will face difficulties in finding the specialists and workers they need is slightly increasing - from 63.8% on average in 2023 to 66.7% in 2024.

The most mentioned problem in finding new jobs is the lack of qualification of candidates - in 43.1% of cases.

The number of businesses that believe they need to add staff is 17.300, up from 12.600 in 2023, a 37.3% increase in employers forced to downsize in the next 12 months.

The labor force needs survey is conducted once a year to collect and analyze updated information on the professions, competencies, knowledge and skills of employers and to plan measures for organizing their professional training. /BTA