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Global Employers Exhibit Steady Hiring Plans for Q3 2025

Amidst the backdrop of fluctuating global trade dynamics, employers around the world are showcasing solid intentions for hiring in the upcoming third quarter of 2025. According to the latest report from ManpowerGroup, which surveyed over 40,600 employers across 42 countries, the global Net Employment Outlook (NEO) remains robust at +24%. This marks a minor decrease of one point from the previous quarter but signifies a two-point increase when compared to the same period last year.

Key Findings of the Survey

In this survey, it was revealed that a substantial 40% of employers anticipate an increase in hiring, while 42% intend to keep their current workforce intact. However, 16% are predicting reductions in staff, and 2% are unsure of their hiring strategies. Notably, 89% of the companies indicated that trade uncertainties were influencing their immediate hiring decisions.

ManpowerGroup's Chair and CEO, Jonas Prising, commented on these findings, stating, “Trade uncertainty has added to the cooling labor markets, encouraging some organizations to reconsider or slow down their hiring strategies. Nevertheless, this current data indicates that hiring intentions have stabilized for now.” Employers are concentrating on attracting specialized skills, particularly as they invest in technology and artificial intelligence to enhance human performance.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific

The Asia Pacific region leads with an impressive hiring outlook of 29%. India tops this regional chart with a booming 42% of employers reporting positive hiring expectations. China and Singapore follow, showing promising hiring intentions at 28% and 24%, respectively. However, places like Hong Kong and Japan remain cautious, reporting hiring outlooks of only 8% and 15%.

Americas

The Americas maintain the second strongest hiring outlook at 27%, though there has been a noticeable decline of seven points compared to the last quarter. Costa Rica and Brazil are leading the way with outlooks of 41% and 33%, making them regional front-runners. Meanwhile, Argentina shows the lowest outlook at merely 3%, facing ongoing economic challenges.

Europe and the Middle East

In Europe and the Middle East, hiring expectations have exhibited slow but gradual improvement, culminating in an overall outlook of 19%. The United Arab Emirates stands out with a remarkable 48% in hiring intentions, marking its first participation in the survey. The Netherlands and Ireland also reflect solid hiring outlooks, both nearing 30%.

Sector-Specific Trends

Among various sectors, Information Technology showcases the most optimistic outlook at 36%, underscoring the critical role of tech investments in shaping employer sentiments. The Financial and Real Estate sectors follow with an outlook of 28%, while the Industrials and Materials sector has a slightly lower expectation at 26%.

Organizations heavily investing in technological advances report the most upbeat hiring plans, establishing a clear connection between innovation and confidence within the labor market. Conversely, businesses that aren’t focusing on technology show more pessimistic hiring tendencies.

Conclusion

As employers navigate the uncertain waters of global trade, it remains apparent that many organizations remain committed to their hiring plans for the third quarter of 2025 despite the challenges. The emphasis on technology and skills acquisition continues to play a vital role in workforce planning, with a focus on creating sustainable and meaningful employment. The upcoming survey results will be crucial in understanding how these strategies evolve as we progress through 2025.

For further insights and to view the complete survey results, visit ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The next report aims to release data concerning hiring expectations for the fourth quarter of 2025, providing deeper implications for the future workforce landscape.