74% of HR Leaders Say Talent Shortages are a Major Challenge
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report from RemoFirst reveals a stark reality: 74% of HR leaders say talent shortages are either “very” or “extremely” challenging for their organization — with mid-sized companies feeling the most pressure.
Not a single respondent in the State of International Hiring report said talent acquisition wasn’t a challenge.
For companies with 500 to 999 employees, the outlook is even more urgent — 61% report talent shortages as “very challenging,” pointing to major gaps in critical roles like AI, cybersecurity, and data science.
“Many companies are scaling quickly, but their hiring strategies haven’t caught up,” says Nurasyl Serik, CEO of RemoFirst. “The truth is, the talent exists — just not always in your own backyard. Teams need to rethink hiring with a global mindset if they want to grow without delay.”
The report’s findings echo what many in HR and People Ops already know: the war for talent isn’t over, it’s just gone global. Traditional recruiting methods are falling short, particularly when it comes to highly specialized skills that are in short supply locally.
RemoFirst’s report dives into why developing a broader talent strategy matters. One that goes beyond borders and embraces flexible, compliant hiring models that can tap into skilled workers worldwide.
Key insights from the report:
- 74% of HR leaders cite talent shortages as “very” or “extremely” challenging
- Mid-sized companies (500–999 employees) are most affected
- Skills gaps in AI, cybersecurity, and data are among the top blockers to growth
- Companies expanding globally are more confident in their hiring pipelines
Download the full State of International Hiring report to explore how leading companies are addressing these challenges, and how platforms like RemoFirst are helping teams hire compliantly in 185+ countries.
About the State of International Hiring Report
To better understand how companies are navigating the evolving landscape of global hiring, RemoFirst commissioned an independent survey of 300 HR and People leaders across the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Brazil. Conducted in September 2025 in partnership with Global Surveyz, the study focused on mid-to-senior level professionals managing recruitment, compliance, and distributed teams. The goal: to capture real-world insights into how organizations are addressing talent shortages, compliance hurdles, and cross-border expansion — and where new opportunities are emerging.
About RemoFirst
RemoFirst is a leading global Employer of Record (EOR) and contractor management platform that enables companies to hire and manage talent in over 185 countries — quickly, affordably, and compliantly. By handling local employment, payroll, benefits, and taxes, RemoFirst helps businesses expand globally without the need to set up local entities or navigate complex labor laws. Additional services include background checks, global healthcare, visas and work permits, and equipment provisioning. EOR services start at $199 per month. To learn more, visit remofirst.com.
For Media Inquiries:
Angelica Krauss
VP of Marketing
angelica@RemoFirst.com
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