30 European Job Search Statistics Ahead of 2022

Europe is home to a plethora of giants and conglomerates with interest in various industries including IT, healthcare, logistics, and shipping to name a few. With 2022 on the horizon, it’s time to reflect on the available job search statistics and data reports.

These can help us determine exactly how both job seekers and employers treat the process of looking for and hiring for work. With these data points in hand, you can make a better effort at creating job vacancy listings and applying for work in your industry of interest.

1. Mobility and cross-border employment rates have risen by more than 50% since 2017.
2. Health, social work, and technical industries will account for more than 70% of Europe’s job growth by 2030.
3. STEM-related occupations will grow by more than 20% by 2030, making scientific job search easier.
4. Creative and arts management roles will increase by more than 30% from their current scale by 2030.
5. Socioemotional skills will experience a 30% increase in demand by 2030.
6. Independent workers and freelancers will make up 20-30% of all jobs if the COVID-19 situation persists.
7. Due to COVID-19, 26% of total European jobs are at the risk of pay reduction, furloughs, or permanent layoffs.
8. Almost 70% of jobs related to wholesales and retail are at the risk of displacement due to process automation.
9. Less than 60% of expected job growth can be filled by existing residents in Europe’s 48 major capitals, making future job search easier for many.
10. Nearly 78% of people in software engineering, recruitment, talent acquisition, and digital marketing originally came from other occupations.

(Source: McKinsey, 2020)

With these data points in mind, it’s easy to spot trends in certain industries which will affect future job search efforts. The global pandemic has made an impact on numerous niches which rely on interpersonal contact and teamwork.

This has given rise to remote collaboration, freelance gigs, and automation, with digital and IT-related fields growing at a rapid pace. With 2022 on the horizon, there’s no better time to reevaluate your career if you live in Europe and want to make a positive change.

11. The highest job vacancy rates in Europe were recorded in the Czech Republic (9%), Belgium (4.2%), and the Netherlands (3.8%).
12. The lowers rates of job vacancies in Europe were reported in Greece (3%), Bulgaria, Spain, and Romania (all 0.8%).
13. A total of 3% of jobs in Europe and 2.2% of jobs in the EU were vacant in Q2 of 2021, making the job search a challenge.
14. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of people working from home increased from 4% to 12.3% in Europe.
15. EU youth employment rates were at 5% in 2020, while senior employment rates were at 59.6%.
16. Total employment rates for EU citizens aged 20-64 were at 4%, proving that job search isn’t straightforward.
17. Poland (-2.7%), Croatia (-2.5%), and Portugal (-2.4%) recorded the largest declines in temporary contracts in total employee counts in 2020.
18. 1% of adult men and 66.8% of adult women were employed in Europe in 2020, showcasing job search inequality.
19. Educated professionals represented the largest employed group in the EU in 2020 with 9% of total employment.
20. 8% of employed women and 20.8% of employed men worked from home in 2020.

(Source: Eurostat, 2020)

In terms of employment metrics and job search opportunities, Europe has experienced an expected rise in overall employment rates. Even though there is still a discrepancy between men and women who are fully employed, women are leading the charge in the remote work industry.

We can expect more and more industries to shift to remote-only work conditions, which might contribute to a more even playfield among the genders.

1. The highest hourly labor costs in the EU in 2020 were in Denmark (5 euros), with the lowest in Bulgaria (6.5 euros).
2. Switzerland has the highest hourly labor cost in the EU as of 2021, with 6 euros per hour.
3. Albania (6 euros), Bosnia and Herzegovina (5.2 euros), and North Macedonia (3.6 euros) have the lowest hourly labor costs in Europe as of April 2021.
4. The highest unemployment rates in the EU as of June 2021 were in Greece (1%), Italy (9.7%) and Spain (15.1%).
5. The highest percentage of people in the EU using the internet for their job search was 24% for Denmark, 26% for Norway, and 29% for Finland.
6. The lowest percentage of people in the EU using the internet to find work was 5% in the Czech Republic, 8% in Romania, and 12% in Poland.
7. Volkswagen, Compass Group, DHL, Accenture, and Gazprom are the largest European companies based on the number of employees worldwide as of 2021.
8. EXOR Group, SNCF Group, Sberbank, and Nestle are the smallest (of the top 20) European companies based on the number of employees worldwide as of 2021.
9. There are approximately 6 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the EU as of 2021, making the job search process for many somewhat easier.
10. SMEs employ 84 million people in the EU as of 2021, with Germany leading the pack with 5 million.

(Source: Statista, 2021)

As we can discern, there are large discrepancies to be found among European countries when it comes to average hourly wages. This is because, unlike the US, the European continent doesn’t adhere to a single economic core for its job market shifts.

Countries outside of the EU have a tougher time competing with their more economically stable counterparts but still, show signs of stable economic growth. Many professionals and employers look toward the internet for business salvation, as remote work conditions become more and more commonplace.

European Job Search Report Summary

Whether you find yourself in the position of the employer or the employee, the prospects for future employment in Europe are bright. To increase them, you can use oneglobe.life as your platform of choice when it comes to professional networking and search activities. Only time will tell how the European, and global, job markets will transform throughout 2022. All we can do is contribute to the picture in however small part we can.