labor shortage; manpower shortage
Refers to a lack of available workers in an industry, region, or economy.
The construction industry is facing a serious labor shortage.
More companies are accepting foreign workers to make up for the labor shortage.
人手不足 is a more general term for 'shortage of hands' or 'understaffing', often used in everyday contexts. 労働力不足 is more formal and economic, emphasizing the workforce as a factor of production.
Compound of 労働力 (labor power, workforce) and 不足 (shortage, insufficiency).