business analyst
Key facts
Are you analytical, strategic, and enjoy problem-solving? As a business analyst, you’ll be instrumental in helping organizations improve their performance and adapt to changing markets. This role combines data analysis, strategic thinking, and communication to drive impactful change.
Business analysts play a crucial role in understanding a business's current state and identifying opportunities for improvement. You'll work closely with stakeholders across different departments to gather requirements, analyse data, and propose solutions that align with the company’s strategic goals. This often involves evaluating existing processes, identifying areas of inefficiency, and recommending new technologies or methodologies to enhance operations.
- • Conducting thorough market research and competitor analysis.
- • Identifying and documenting business needs and requirements.
- • Developing and presenting data-driven recommendations for process improvements.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Business and administration professionals — 134 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Czechia, Malta, Netherlands, Romania and 1 more.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could business analyst fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for business analyst
The outlook for business analyst reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could business analyst change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could business analyst change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- build business relationships
- align efforts towards business development
- liaise with managers
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- perform business analysis
- analyse business plans
- interpret financial statements
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Management & Entrepreneurship
A typical day as a business analyst
09 09:00 · Morning analyse business plans
10 10:30 · Mid-morning use business simulation tools
12 12:00 · Midday advise on efficiency improvements
14 14:00 · Afternoon align efforts towards business development
15 15:30 · Late afternoon analyse external factors of companies
17 17:00 · Wrap-up analyse financial performance of a company
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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business analytics
The disciplines and technologies for solving business problems through employing quantitative methods such as data analysis and statistical models.
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management consulting
The process of giving paid advice with the aim of improving businesses performance and promote their growth.
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management systems standards
The standards that improve the performance of an organisation by outlining activities that helps to achieve goals and objectives. They also help to create an organisational culture that provides ground for continuous self-evaluation and improvement of the business operations.
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business process modelling
The tools, methods and notations such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), used to describe and analyse the characteristics of a business process and model its further development.
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investment banking
The branch of banking that provides services of capital raising and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
- business analysis
- business communication
- data visualisation software
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perform business analysis
Evaluate the condition of a business on its own and in relation to the competitive business domain, performing research, placing data in context of the business' needs and determining areas of opportunity.
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analyse business plans
Analyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the business' ability to meet external requirements such as the repayment of a loan or return of investments.
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analyse internal factors of companies
Research and understand various internal factors that influence the operation of companies such as its culture, strategic foundation, products, prices, and available resources.
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interpret financial statements
Read, understand, and interpret the key lines and indicators in financial statements. Extract the most important information from financial statements depending on the needs and integrate this information in the development of the department's plans.
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analyse financial performance of a company
Analyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase profit, based on accounts, records, financial statements and external information of the market.
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analyse external factors of companies
Perform research and analysis of the external factor pertaining to companies such as consumers, position in the market, competitors, and political situation.
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conduct quantitative research
Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
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conduct qualitative research
Gather relevant information by applying systematic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, text analysis, observations and case studies.
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align efforts towards business development
Synchronise the efforts, plans, strategies, and actions carried out in departments of companies towards the growth of business and its turnover. Keep business development as the ultimate outcome of any effort of the company.
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liaise with managers
Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
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apply change management
Manage development within an organisation by anticipating changes and making managerial decisions to ensure that the members involved are as less disturbed as possible.
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identify undetected organisational needs
Use the collected input and information from interviewing stakeholders and analysing organisational documents in order to detect unseen needs and improvements that would support the development of the organisation. Identify the needs of the organisation in terms of staff, equipment, and improvement of operations.
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use business simulation tools
Employ software to perform simulations to improve business skills such as business acumen, financial and market analysis and decision making.
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advise on efficiency improvements
Analyse information and details of processes and products in order to advise on possible efficiency improvements that could be implemented and would signify a better use of resources.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how business analyst aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
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Where does business analyst fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What skills are most important for a business analyst?
- Strong analytical skills, excellent communication (both written and verbal), and the ability to translate complex data into understandable insights are essential. Proficiency in data analysis tools and a good understanding of business processes are also highly valuable.
- Is this a good career for someone transitioning from a different field?
- Yes! Many career changers find business analysis appealing. Skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication are transferable from various backgrounds. A willingness to learn about business processes and data analysis is key.
- What are the common work arrangements for business analysts?
- Business analysts are primarily employed by organizations in full-time roles. However, freelancing and contract work are also common, offering flexibility and the opportunity to work with diverse clients on various projects.
- Business Analyst — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Both, depending where. Of the 10 European countries that assessed this occupation group in 2025, 5 reported a shortage and 5 a surplus. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Business Analyst — what does it pay in the United States?
- $112,590 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $69,490 to $163,350. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Business Analyst — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 1 European country: Austria. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 5. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.