ManpowerGroup has released the results of its first quarter Global Employment Outlook. For the first quarter, global payroll is expected to expand in 43 of 44 countries participating in the most recent survey. Hiring plans are stronger on a quarter-over-quarter basis in 16 of the 44 surveyed countries and weaker in 23 of the countries. Five are unchanged. Other highlights include the following:
The Americas:
- Payrolls are expected to grow in all countries in this region, except for Argentina, which is expecting reduced headcounts.
- The most optimistic hiring plans are in the United States. The outlook is at its strongest level in more than 10 years, consistent with both the previous quarter and the previous year.
- Canadian employers are expected to increase headcount, although at a slightly slower place from the previous quarter. The best opportunities
Asia Pacific:
- Payroll growth is expected in every country surveyed. Japan’s outlook is at its best levels in more than 15 years. Growth should be especially robust in the areas of transportation/utilities, mining/construction, and services.
- Employers in Taiwan are reporting stronger hiring activity on a year-over-year basis, buoyed by strong activity in the transportation/utilities and mining/construction sectors.
- New Zealand employers are reporting the best hiring outlook in more than three years, led by growth in the public administration/education sector. Mining/construction is also rebounding nicely over the previous quarter.
EMEA:
- All 26 countries in the survey report plans to increase hiring in the first quarter. Germany leads the region for the fifth consecutive quarter, with an especially strong manufacturing environment.
- Modest gains in headcount are expected in all three Nordic countries. The transport/storage/communications sector in Finland is at its strongest in four years.
- The employment outlook in Greece is finally on the rebound after a lengthy decline during the Global Financial Crisis. Employers there are reporting their most robust hiring intentions in more than a decade.
Global payroll expansion continues on a positive trend despite recent instability in the political climate, uncertainty surrounding Brexit, and trade and tariff activity. What is the outlook like in your region? Are there geographies or market segments that are contributing to the global payroll growth? Please share a comment below.