Talent shortages among professional workers are emerging around much of the globe, forcing employers to pay higher salaries, according to a survey across 26 countries by the recruitment specialists Manpower.

The problems are most acute in the Asia-Pacific region and parts of the Americas. The shortage of professionals – typically middle management accountants, engineers, information technology workers, sales and marketing staff and other posts that normally require degree-level qualifications – is now starting to threaten growth opportunities, Manpower said.