Skills shortage is a key growth constraint

Family-run businesses in New Zealand are among the world's most concerned about skilled workforce shortages stymieing their expansion, a survey shows.

A study of more than 3000 family businesses around the world by accounting and consultancy firm Grant Thornton International showed 30 per cent cited a lack of skilled workers as a key constraint on their ability to expand.

Russia topped the list of those affected on 53 per cent, followed by New Zealand (52 per cent), Australia (45 per cent) and the UK (41 per cent).

Family businesses were more affected as they lacked the resources to recruit from other countries.

The shortage was more acute in New Zealand with the strong drift of Kiwis abroad, said Grant Thornton's New Zealand spokesman Richard Sherwin.