China will experience the most severe managerial shortage in the world in the second half of 2013, continuing a five-year trend, according to a survey of executive search consultants.

That was the finding of 43 percent of the consultants in 15 geographical regions surveyed by the Association of Executive Search Consultants, an industry group.

Despite China's prosperity, people in the search industry see its economic growth as threatened by a dearth of professionals with Mandarin and English skills who are also familiar with the local and business culture and willing to relocate on short notice.