Manpower has released its quarterly Employment Outlook Survey, with mixed results. Nearly 59,000 employers throughout 40+ countries and territories were interviewed to gain insight about anticipated hiring activity during the fourth quarterly. While many employers are reporting positive hiring news, the numbers are lower than might be expected as signs of a robust economic recovery have not yet materialized. Geographically, some of the key take-aways include:
Americas
- Employers in the US anticipate the strongest hiring plans in this region. More than 20% of employers are planning to hire additional workers during the fourth quarter. Hospitality and leisure leads the way, followed by wholesale & retail trade, transport & communications, and professional & business services.
- Mexico expects an improved outlook compared to the previous quarter. Manufacturing and transport & communications are especially strong.
- The hiring outlook in Brazil continues to decline, with it now at its lowest levels since the Brazilian survey was launched in 2009.
- While some hiring is expected in Canada, the outlook is lower compared both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year.
Asia Pacific
- India remains in a robust hiring climate, leading Asia Pacific. Forty percent of employers surveyed plan to add personnel during the next three months.
- Taiwan follows India with the second-most optimistic outlook with very strong hiring in both the services and the finance, insurance, & real estate markets.
- Japanese employers report the best hiring conditions since Q1 2008, but its aging workers are rapidly leaving the workforce. This is causing additional pressure on a candidate-short market.
- Australia has had lingering difficulties in hiring but the finance, insurance, & real estate sector is the strongest it has been in more than three years.
EMEA
- Continuing concerns about the debt crisis in Greece are impacting hiring plans across the region to some degree.
- Both Romania and Turkey indicate very positive hiring news. Romania leads the region, particularly in manufacturing and wholesale & retail trade. Roughly 30% of Turkish employers plan to hire through the end of the year.
- Ireland and Spain appear to be climbing out of a persistent depression in the labor market. Both countries have now reported four consecutive quarters of hiring gains.
- Italy continues to have the weakest labor market in EMEA, with a negative hiring outlook for 19 consecutive quarters. Young workers have been especially impacted by very high unemployment rates.
What are the hiring conditions in your part of the world? Comment below!