The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, based on data from nearly 40,000 employers across 41 countries, reveals that global hiring intentions for the second quarter of 2025 are holding steady. The survey shows a consistent Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 25%, reflecting a modest increase of three percentage points year-over-year. This stability marks the third consecutive quarter of steady hiring outlooks, demonstrating a resilient labor market despite ongoing economic and political uncertainties.
Subtopics and Pointers:
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Global Hiring Outlook for Q2 2025
- NEO Consistency: Employers worldwide report an NEO of 25%, with 40% expecting to hire more staff and 42% maintaining current staffing levels.
- Hiring Uncertainty: 18% anticipate a decrease or remain unsure about hiring plans for the second quarter.
- Economic Factors: Despite ongoing uncertainties, employers continue to hold onto skilled workers while cautiously hiring for new talent, particularly those with in-demand skills such as AI.
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Sector-Specific Hiring Trends
- Top Sectors for Hiring: Information Technology (35%), Financials & Real Estate (32%), and Health Care & Life Sciences (28%) report the strongest hiring intentions for Q2.
- Key Drivers: Company expansion (38%) and economic uncertainty (35%) are the primary factors driving hiring increases and decreases, respectively.
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Regional Hiring Outlooks
- Asia Pacific (APAC): With an Outlook of 30%, APAC leads the global hiring confidence. India stands at 43%, followed by Taiwan and India as frontrunners for tech-driven job creation.
- The Americas: The region maintains an Outlook of 29%, with the U.S.A. (34%), Mexico (33%), and Costa Rica (32%) reporting the strongest hiring intentions. Argentina reports the lowest Outlook at 0%.
- Europe and the Middle East: Hiring expectations remain the lowest regionally at 20%, though they have strengthened compared to the previous quarter and year-over-year. The UK, Netherlands, and Norway report the strongest Outlooks in this region.
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Industry-Specific Outlooks
- Energy & Utilities: Switzerland leads with a 59% Outlook in the Energy and Utilities sector.
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Austria reports a strong Outlook of 55%.
- Transport, Logistics, and Automotive: The Netherlands shows the strongest Outlook in this sector at 53%.
The global labor market remains cautiously optimistic heading into Q2 2025, with steady hiring intentions across regions and industries. Despite economic and political challenges, employers are prioritizing skilled talent, particularly in sectors like IT, healthcare, and finance. As AI and other technological advancements continue to shape the workforce, companies are focusing on skill development to guide their teams through a period of transition and growth.
