Shortage of 3,000 controllers worldwide
From the (UK) GasCo Flight Safety Autumn 2008 issue:-
The International Federation of Air Traffic Control Associations calculates that the shortage of controllers, the world over, amounts to some three thousand. Marc Baumgartner, President and CEO, stated: This shortage of controllers (in Europe as well as other parts of the world) represents a serious hazard to the flying public as we strive to maintain a safe and efficient air traffic system handling ever increasing numbers of flights. (Via 'Transmit')