From technicians who keep lifts, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems running to hydrologists, climate scientists, pilots, engineers and project managers, all in high demand across multiple disciplines, show that South Africa’s critical skills shortage spans a far wider range of occupations than many might expect.

According to the newly released findings of the Xpatweb 2026 Critical Skills Survey, 76% of companies operating in South Africa struggle to recruit the critical skills they need locally, and 67% are having to look beyond the country’s borders to fill key positions.

Releasing the findings on 28 October 2026, Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director at Xpatweb, said the proportion of companies struggling to find skills had declined from 84% in 2025. 

“Although this is encouraging, persistent shortages across several key professions and trades continue to affect business performance. More than 70% of businesses report that vacancies are having a severe or significant impact on their operations.”

On the positive side, bringing skilled foreign workers into South Africa can contribute significantly to job creation. At the time of the 2025 survey, Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen said that for every highly skilled employee brought into the country, seven unskilled jobs are created. 

“Yet, the negative consequence of delayed project implementation, missed deadlines and profit margins coming under pressure when skilled occupations remain vacant, reinforces the need for the National Critical Skills List to be updated and reflect businesses’ actual requirements,” Jacobs added.

The survey, recognised as the most comprehensive of its kind among verified employers, is now in its 9th year and drew responses from almost 400 employers, including multinational, listed and large corporations.

A Closer Look at Categories Most Difficult to Recruit

The occupations South African businesses find hardest to fill in 2026, largely mirrors 2025, but the gap between the top three categories — engineers, ICT specialists and artisans — is narrowing.

Engineers top the demand

Engineers are the highest in demand, including mechanical, industrial and maintenance engineers. Across industries such as manufacturing, construction and mining, 27% of respondents cannot find engineers from the local labour market. Experienced engineers are most sought after with 30% of employers requiring at least 6 years of experience, and 65% of employers requiring a Bachelors, Honours or Master’s Degree.

Growing need for ICT expertise

The demand for ICT specialists is increasing, with an all-time high of 26% of respondents citing a shortage, compared to 22% in 2025 and 14% in 2024. Businesses are looking for, amongst other, data analysts and scientists, IT engineers and software developers.

Wanted: Artisans

22% of companies face challenges in finding artisans. 

Jacobs said the need for experienced electricians, millwrights, transportation electricians and metal machinist — a skilled tradesperson setting up and operating machine tools to shape, cut, and finish raw metal stock into components — show it is about keeping South Africa and industries moving. 

Almost 80% of the respondents experiencing an artisan shortage, require a trade certificate as qualification. 

Newly emerging skills: AI and Project Management

For the first time in almost a decade, two new occupational categories feature among South Africa’s 10 hardest-to-fill skills: 21% of respondents battle to recruit artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technology expertise, and 16% have difficulty in filling senior project management roles. 

The World Bank Group reported in 2025 that from 2021 to 2024, job postings requiring AI skills grew by 2% in high-income countries, 16% in upper-middle-income countries and 11% in lower-income countries.

During a recent Xpatweb webinar on South Africa’s critical skills shortages, 47% of attendees indicated in a poll that AI is already reshaping existing roles in the workplace, a further 14% cited that AI is reducing the need for certain roles and 6% noted a growing demand for new specialist roles. 

Jacobs said the search for strategic, operational and project management skills highlights the importance of critical thinking, managing change, collaboration, and adaptability in the workplace. These are increasingly referred to as "power skills".

Increasing and persistent pressure

The 2026 Critical Skills Survey show that shortages have become more acute for media and marketing roles with 18% of respondents finding it hard to source this expertise locally (2025: 15%), C-Suite at 11% (2025: 6%) and healthcare and science professionals remaining among the most sought-after skills.

Senior financial executives, foreign language speakers (including French, Mandarin and Japanese) and aviation occupations also feature strongly.

Skilled Professionals Move Across Borders: South Africa Needs Responsive Policy to Attract Global Talent

Jacobs noted that the talent pressure is not unique to South Africa. According to Manpower Group’s 2026 Global Talent Shortage report, 72% of employers globally struggle to find the skills they need to maintain smooth business operations. 

Talent availability is one thing, but attracting skilled professionals across borders also depends on how easily they can enter a country. Jacobs said 79% of survey respondents described visa procedures as significantly or somewhat challenging, referring to visa processing times and embassy-related delays.

“South Africa has made progress in streamlining its immigration system through the introduction of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), as well as the Department of Home Affairs’ ongoing digitisation efforts and waiving of certain requirements in the visa application process. But as industries evolve and new skills emerge, it is equally important that the national Critical Skills List, allowing for expedited work visa applications for occupations on the list, must reflect business’ real needs.”

Jacobs said the findings show that for 51% of businesses the list does not, or only to a degree, cater to their skills needs. An updated list and more frequent updates going forward will ensure it remains relevant, keeping South Africa in step with the rest of the world.

The annual Xpatweb Critical Skills Survey’s evidence-based insights are shared with relevant government departments and stakeholders to help inform South Africa’s immigration framework and future revisions to the Critical Skills List.

Competing for Global Talent Requires ‘More Than Talk’

Governments worldwide are competing to attract the skills needed to drive innovation, productivity and sustainable economic growth. For South Africa, responsive immigration policy must therefore be matched by a compelling proposition for international talent, supported by economic opportunity and an environment in which businesses can grow.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks at the South African Investment Conference in March 2026 highlighted the government’s investment drive, built around decarbonisation, digitisation and diversification, with ease of doing business as a cross-cutting priority. 

He acknowledged that investors reward execution, not just commitments and talk, reinforcing the importance of positioning South Africa as open to global talent.

Jacobs emphasised that the stakes extend well beyond individual companies, to the broader economy.  “The competition for global talent will only grow. South Africa must know which skills it lacks and ensure that its immigration policies are responsive to timeously and efficiently attract the talent who can help build businesses, strengthen key industries and support long-term economic growth.”

*The 2026 Critical Skills Survey results can be accessed here: https://cssresults.xpatweb.com