This statistic illustrates the number of annual new drug shortages in the United States from 2001 through June 2024. The number of new drug shortages increased steadily between 2004 and 2011 when a record high was reached. However, since 2012 a fluctuating trend below 200 is visible.

By the year 2036, a shortage of 13,500 to 86,000 physicians is expected in the United States. While still high, this is much lower than the projected shortages in a previous report. The new projections are based on an assumed increase in funding in graduate medical education (GME). If this assumption is not met, physician shortfall will match that of previous years, upwards of 124,000 by 2034. By 2036, the United States will be short on 20,200 to 40,400 primary care physicians (PCP). In comparison, a shortage of 5,500 to a surplus of 3,700 medical specialists was forecasted for 2036. This is caused by an over-supply in a few selected specialties, such as emergency medicine and critical care.

For around 60 percent of all drug shortages in the U.S. in 2023, the real reason was unknown. Among known reasons for drug shortages, a mismatch of supply and demand was the leading cause. This statistic describes drug shortages in the United States during 2023, by reason.

By the year 2032, a shortage of 46,000 to 121,900 physicians is expected in the United States, including a shortage of approximately 25,000 to 65,000 surgical specialists. This statistic shows the predicted shortage of physicians and specialists in the U.S. by 2032.

Metros with growing job opportunities naturally have higher housing shortages than other metros. Syracuse, NY and Anchorage, AK, were the metros with the most acute housing need in the United States as of December 2024. For every new building permit, there were over seven new jobs created during that period. The number of housing starts has increased in recent years, but in order for housing needs to be met, homes will need to be built in the metros where they are needed the most.

After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants in the U.S. have been able to find enough staff to fill all open positions. According to the source, 21 percent of restauranteurs reported that workers higher expectation for competitive wages was a reason for the labor shortage.

In 2024, roughly two-thirds of surveyed nursing home providers were somewhat or very concerned over forced closure due to workforce challenges in the United States. A large majority also report concern about the federal staffing mandate.

According to a physicians' survey in 2024, as a result of the physician shortage in the United States, nearly nine in ten physicians said patients had experienced longer wait times. Most noticeably, over a third of physicians stated patients received later-stage diagnoses due to physician shortage.

Senior housing and skilled nursing operators in the United States reported a severe staffing shortage. This is according to a survey conducted between June 1 and July 5, 2023, among the executives of 39 organizations. Overall, about 82 percent of the respondents struggled to fill open job positions, affecting their operation capacity. Of the ones experiencing a staffing shortage, 44 percent shared that the impact is felt across 25 to 50 percent of their portfolio.

Driver shortage is one of the leading issues in the trucking industry in the United States, with an estimated 80,500 drivers needed in 2021. By 2030, this figure is forecast to reach 162,000.

As of end-2023, the average duration of all ongoing drug shortages in the United States stood at 1,202 days, or more than three years. This was a massive increase compared to four years before.

In 2021, shortages of healthcare staff in the United States were expected and especially among clinical roles. According to this survey, 83 percent of responding hospital and health system executives predicted nursing staff shortages. Furthermore, 30 percent of respondents expected to face an insufficient number of physicians. A shortfall of leadership roles, on the other hand, was far less envisioned by the responding healthcare executives.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, commercial construction contractors most often reported suffering shortages in wood and/or lumber, and steel. In the last quarter of 2021, 27 percent of the surveyed contractors suffered a shortage on steel, 19 percent of them in roofing materials, and 17 percent of them in wood and/or lumber. In that same period, more than 90 percent of contractors reported facing shortages in at least one material.

As of end-2023, there were six ongoing drug shortages in the United States, for which the shortage lasted for more than 10 years. This statistic shows the duration of ongoing drug shortages in the United States as of December 2023.

According to surveyed physicians in 2024, the top factor contributing to the physician shortage in the U.S. was administrative tasks. Over half also stated greater patient needs (due to a growing and aging U.S. population) as a main cause of the physician shortage.

After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants in the U.S. have been able to find enough staff to fill all open positions. According to the source, 30 percent of restaurants are facing a shortage of bartenders, and a further 28 percent are experiencing a shortage of line cooks. In 2021, 36 percent of restaurants faced a shortage of servers, but this number drastically declined in 2022.

A 2024 survey found that 67 percent of physicians had feelings of overwork or burnout as a result of the physician shortage in the United States. Another repercussion of the physician shortage on their well-being was diminished job satisfaction. Half of physicians surveyed had thought of leaving clinical practice altogether due to the shortage.

The construction sector employed over *** million people in the United States in April 2025, which was the highest number since the 21st century. There is a strong correlation between the amount of investment in construction and demand for workers. For example, in the years following the 2008 financial crisis, the value of new construction put in place in the U.S. decreased, which also translated in lower employee numbers in the construction sector. How to improve the job shortage? Many contractors have reported difficulty finding skilled workers recently. However, that has not only been the case in the construction industry, but in many other sectors of the economy too. For example, U.S. restaurants reported shortages in different positions in the past years. Although there are many reasons why workers may quit, in general, an increase in the salaries of construction employees may help in reducing the number of resignations. Worker shortages in Europe The United States is not the only country where companies have been facing these challenges. Thus, the percentage of French infrastructure companies reporting staff shortage peaked in 2019 and 2023. However, there are certain industries that struggle finding new employees more than construction. Social and care work had the highest skilled labor shortages in Germany.

As of November 2022, understaffing levels in both full service and quick service restaurants in the United States were relatively similar. In that month, 27 percent of restaurant operators reported having more than 20 percent below the necessary levels of staff.

This statistic gives the projected number of unfilled U.S. commercial airline pilot jobs from 2016 to 2018 and gives a forecast through 2026. In 2026, there will be a pilot deficit of over 4,500 in the United States, as more captains are retiring and fewer young people are interested in a career in commercial aviation.