The supply and demand gap for specialist tech talent is real. And it’s growing.

In high impact areas like AI, Machine Learning (ML), Data Science and Cybersecurity, technological advancements are far too quick for the pipeline of specialist talent they require. These technologies are also shifting the priorities of hiring organisations and their perceptions of job roles, with many adopting skills-based hiring strategies to stand a better chance of keeping up.

Software Engineers now require a deeper understanding of AI and ML algorithms, Data Scientists must now develop ML models, and System Administrators must handle increasingly complex infrastructure thanks to the ever-higher adoption of Cloud Computing and AI.

Organisations are no longer just in a race to digitalise. They’re in a race to genuinely innovate – automating and streamlining processes wherever possible to ensure they can keep up with competitors and ensure operational efficiency.

EMEA will be pivotal.

Home to a vast network of highly skilled IT specialists, this diverse region is often at the forefront of innovation, and many of its countries are becoming favourite locations for new startups, offices and shared service centres.

To help you explore it, The Tech Talent Explorer is loaded with extensive survey data and specialist IT recruitment expertise from across the region.
It all begins with what is arguably today’s biggest driver of technological change - AI. But first, you have the chance to look at the methodology of the study. Just scroll down to learn all about it.

The scope of this study is on past, current, and arising IT trends in 20 labour markets in which Hays is present across Continental Europe and the Middle East.

The trends identified are based on the findings of recent surveys and the observations of our expert IT recruitment consultants assisting employers and professionals in Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The surveys were conducted online and gathered the views of 11,192 total respondents. 5,014 are tech professionals, under a variety of work arrangements including permanent, temporary, and freelance contracts, as well as unemployed professionals. 6,178 are employers from organisations of all sizes and sectors.

For a local lens and market-specific information beyond tech, see our dedicated Salary Guide Hub, which you can access at the end of this report.