Scarce (adjective)

1. Insufficient for the demand; in short supply.
2. Rare and not easily found.
3. Unlikely to be available in the near future.

Origin:

Middle english (originally in the sense "deficient in number, rare"): from old french escars, from latin ex carus "expensive, rare", from ex- "out of" + carus "dear, costly".

Examples:

1. Water is becoming scarce in many parts of the world.
2. Good quality timber is scarce and expensive.
3. Gasoline is becoming scarce and prices are rising.
4. Job opportunities are scarce in the current economic climate.
5. Oil is a scarce and valuable resource.