The Shortage of Geologists Worldwide: Challenges and Prospects

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March 27, 2024, 16:37

Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Institute of Geology, warns of a shortage of geologists in the world. This issue is becoming increasingly problematic due to the need for a highly skilled geoscience workforce, especially as the energy sector and technology evolve


The International Energy Agency has released a report indicating that the world will double its demand for mineral resources for clean energy technologies by 2024. The shortage of geologists globally is becoming increasingly problematic due to the need for highly skilled workforce in the geosciences field. Many countries simply do not have enough professionals, and the demand for them is constantly growing. For instance, in the United States, approximately 27% of the workforce in the geosciences sector will retire by 2029, and the country is projected to face a shortage of 130,000 geologists by the end of the decade.

This deficit has been felt for about ten years and will affect every sector of the energy and raw materials economy. As sectors such as solar, wind, and battery energy strive to achieve even higher goals, the shortage of exploration will become a bottleneck in the supply chain as early as 2035.

This situation requires immediate action to ensure the necessary workforce for the development of raw materials and energy infrastructure in the future

More details (in Ukrainian)