A Critical Occupations List for Migration in Spain

Overview & Synopsis

This report provides an analytical framework to construct a Critical Occupations List (COL) in Spain based on a robust two-pronged approach that has been successfully applied in other countries. This methodology integrates a quantitative “top-down” statistical assessment to pinpoint occupations under pressure based on labor market indicators with a qualitative “bottom-up” analysis involving consultations with employers and institutional stakeholders. These complementary evidence streams are then consolidated to identify a list of occupations difficult to fill in the Spanish labor market. The COL offers a robust basis for aligning migration policy and skills training investments, serving to inform the design of GSPs and to support broader labor market planning in Spain.