According to the analysis of the State Statistics Office, businesses with 10 to 49 employees have the biggest problem with employment, because small and medium-sized companies often have a harder time competing for workers with larger companies that can offer better working conditions.
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More than 10,000 jobs remained unfilled in Macedonia in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest data from Dthe state office for statistics on vacancies. The figures reveal that employers are finding it increasingly difficult to find suitable staff, especially in sectors directly related to services, trade and hospitality. According to statistical data, in the first three months of the year, a total of 10,247 vacancies were registered, while the number of filled jobs was 484,199. The vacancy rate reached 2.07 percent, which indicates that a significant part of companies’ needs remain unmet.
The greatest shortage of workers is observed in the fifth group of occupations, which includes workers in service activities and sales. As many as 2,346 vacancies were registered in this category, which makes it by far the most sought-after group of workers in the country.
These data confirm that the sectors that work with citizens and consumers on a daily basis are facing a serious problem in providing manpower. Stores, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, hotels and other service companies are continuously looking for new employees, but the supply of workers fails to keep up with the demand.
The situation in the accommodation and food service sector is particularly worrying. It is here that the highest rate of vacancies in the country is registered, or every twentieth job in this sector remains unfilled.
The shortage of staff in the hospitality industry is not a new problem, but the figures show that it is becoming more and more pronounced. The owners of restaurants, hotels and tourist facilities have been warning for a long time that it is difficult to find waiters, cooks, receptionists and other staff, especially on the eve of the tourist season.
Right behind catering are administrative and auxiliary service activities, where the vacancy rate reaches 4.80 percent. There are also a significant number of unfilled positions in transport and storage, construction and trade. In wholesale and retail trade, 2,067 vacancies were registered, while the processing industry has 2,174 unfilled positions. They are one of the largest employers in the country, so any shortage of staff directly affects their operations and productivity.
The data also show interesting regional differences. The highest rate of vacancies is recorded in the Vardar Region, where it reaches 2.28 percent. This indicates that companies in this part of the country have the greatest difficulties in providing labor.
In terms of the size of the companies, business entities with 10 to 49 employees have the biggest problem with employment. Their vacancy rate is 3.05 percent, which is the highest level among all categories of enterprises. Small and medium-sized companies often find it harder to compete for workers with larger companies that can offer better conditions and higher wages.
On the opposite side of the list are the sectors where the staff shortage is minimal. The lowest vacancy rate was registered in the supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning, only 0.15 percent. There are also low rates in public administration, education and health care.
Economic analysts warn that the shortage of workers is becoming one of the key limitations for further growth of the economy. The emigration of the working age population, the aging of the population and the shortage of skilled labor create additional pressure on companies, which are increasingly facing difficulties in filling vacancies.
Meanwhile, employers are forced to offer higher wages, additional benefits and better working conditions in order to attract and retain staff. If the trend continues in the coming quarters, the labor shortage could become one of the biggest challenges for the Macedonian economy in the coming years.
