Employers around the world are intending to increase their workforce in the fourth quarter of 2018, with 43 of 44 countries reporting positive hiring outlooks. According to ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey released today, continued positive employment opportunities are expected over the next three months with hiring confidence strongest in Japan, Taiwan, the US, Romania and Slovenia. Employers in Switzerland and Argentina report the weakest hiring prospects. The survey of more than 59,000 employers across 44 countries and territories shows hiring intentions strengthen in 22 countries, remain constant in eight and slow in 14.
“We continue to see optimism from employers around the world in spite of tariff disputes, proposed new populist legislation and the uncertainty of a hard or soft Brexit,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup chairman & CEO. “Across most countries, hiring intentions are net positive, as access to skilled talent continues to be of critical importance for employers globally. In the Digital Age we’re seeing organisations across all sectors undergo significant transformation. From Manufacturing to Services, roles are emerging that require new skills, creating mismatches between what is needed and what is available in an increasingly tight labor market. It’s important for employers to create a culture of learnability so that their people are ready and able to upskill and adapt.”
EMEA: Staffing levels are expected to grow in 25 of 26 countries surveyed in the EMEA region. Employers in Romania (+19 per cent), Slovenia (+19 per cent) and Hungary (+18 per cent) report the strongest Outlooks. The only negative Outlook across all countries and territories is reported in Switzerland (-2 per cent).
- Employers in Germany forecast the strongest Outlook in seven years with the most optimistic hiring prospects reported in the Construction, Finance & Business Services, and Public & Social sectors, at +14 per cent, +13 per cent and +11 per cent, respectively.
- In France hiring intentions soften slightly to +2 per cent yet employers still plan to expand their workforce in 7 of 10 industry sectors and 4 of 5 regions, suggesting increasing confidence in recent labor policy changes.
- Italy improves 3 percentage points quarter-over-quarter as the political situation begins to stabilize.
- In Greece employers plan the highest headcount increases in over a decade (+16 per cent) driven by growth in the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector as domestic spending grows with the improving economic outlook.
- UK employers continue to report modest hiring intentions (+4 per cent) with a marked improvement in the Finance & Business Services sector, up 6 percentage points quarter-over-quarter.
Asia Pacific: Employers in all eight countries and territories expect to hire more people in Q4 2018. Hiring Outlooks are strongest in Japan (+26 per cent) and Taiwan (+21 per cent).
- Solid workforce gains are forecast to continue in Japan as growing export volumes boost hiring in the Manufacturing sector, which has seen sustained positive hiring intentions since 2010.
- Taiwanese employers continue to report strong hiring intentions led by the Services sector.
- Global trade uncertainty seems to be impacting Chinese hiring plans as the Outlook falls by 4 percentage points quarter-on-quarter yet remains positive at +6 per cent. The weakest sector for the coming quarter is Mining and Construction (+6 per cent).
Americas: Positive Outlooks are reported in all 10 countries surveyed with the U.S. seeing the region’s most upbeat forecast (+19 per cent).
- In the U.S., employers in the Leisure & Hospitality sector report the most optimistic Outlook, at +28 per cent, its highest level since Q4 2016. This is followed by Professional and Business Services at +25 per cent, the sector’s strongest outlook in a decade and a continuation of an upward trend since 2008.
- Canadian employers continue to report positive hiring intentions (+14 per cent) led by growth among large employers (+29 per cent). Micro-employers (+4 per cent) remain the most cautious.
- Brazilian employers report encouraging signs for job seekers in the coming quarter with an Outlook of +7 per cent. The strongest industry forecast at +11 per cent is in Manufacturing, improving by 9 and 10 percentage points respectively quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year.
