News / Insights

The RICS Surveying Skills Report 2026 explores the “skills gap” in the real estate, construction, and infrastructure sectors, based on a global survey of 3,698 professionals. The shortage of market-relevant skills is particularly significant at a time when digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainability are rapidly transforming business activities and organizational models, increasing the need to update existing professional skills just as the sector must respond to growing demand for services, housing, and infrastructure. More than half of respondents consider the problem critical or moderate, and 55% report that the skills shortage reduces organizations’ ability to meet demand and secure new projects, while about half highlight difficulties in dedicating time and resources to staff training. The critical issue primarily concerns professionals with intermediate and advanced experience, cited by 60% of respondents—even more so than the recruitment of new talent, cited by 42%; Furthermore, 41% identify retention as one of the main challenges, with the ability to develop and retain existing talent seen as critical to the sector’s capacity to innovate and reap the benefits of productivity gains generated by new technologies.

Over the next three to five years, the skills considered a priority will be those related to data analysis, digital tools, and advanced technologies—cited by 48% of respondents—followed by critical thinking and the ability to engage in continuous learning, at 47%, and by communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, at 44%. In Europe, 62% of respondents attach particular importance to digital and technological skills, while 25% consider themselves already well-prepared or very well-prepared to work effectively with artificial intelligence—the highest proportion among the regions surveyed. However, the demand for training remains very real: 52% cite skills in using operational tools and automation as a priority, 48% cite the basics of artificial intelligence and fundamental digital skills, and 44% cite the use of technology to improve workflows. Sustainability continues to carry significant weight, with 78% of professionals believing it is useful to strengthen at least one skill in this area, even though only 29% currently rank it among the top emerging skills—compared to the 40% who cited sustainability and decarbonization in 2025.

To bridge this gap, organizations are focusing primarily on developing their existing workforce. Globally, 42% cite enhancing employee skills as the primary response to the skills shortage, while 35% are focusing on adopting artificial intelligence, automation, and digital tools to boost productivity. In Europe, there is a greater focus on technology, cited by 46% of respondents, compared to 32% who prioritize training existing staff. However, significant barriers to professional growth remain: the time available for training, costs, a lack of transparency in career paths, and difficulties in retaining more experienced employees. This issue also relates to inclusion, with 36% of women identifying biases or inequalities as obstacles to career advancement, compared to 16% of men.