Each quarter, Manpower Group undertakes a comprehensive survey that asks more than 59,000 employers around the world to answer a single question: How do they anticipate total employment at their location to change in the next three months compared to the current quarter? The survey has been running for more than 55 years and is one of the comprehensive and trusted studies of global payroll. For the second quarter 2019, employers in 40 of the 44 surveyed countries are expecting to add headcount. Some highlights below:
The Americas
- The strongest hiring intentions in the region come from the United States. This represents the sixth consecutive quarter the US has held the top spot in the Americas. Numbers are stable on both a quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year basis. The strongest market sectors are Leisure & Hospitality and Transportation & Utilities.
- Brazil continues its economic recovery with hiring activity unchanged for a third consecutive quarter.
- In Canada, payroll gains are expected; however, at a slightly weaker pace than both the previous quarter and the previous year.
Asia Pacific
- Employers in eight countries in this region participated in the survey. Hiring increases are expected in all eight countries during the second quarter.
- In Australia, payroll growth is expected to be slower than the previous quarter. Public Administration & Education activity is at its highest levels in eight years.
- The weakest hiring plans in the region are in Taiwan, where confidence is declining in Manufacturing, Mining & Construction, Transportation & Utilities, and Wholesale & Retail Trade.
- A robust Mining & Construction sector in Japan is driving hiring gains there. Japanese employers have the strongest sentiments in the region for the fourth consecutive quarter.
EMEA
- Headcount is expected to grow in 23 of the 26 EMEA countries participating in the survey. Germany leads the region, with the strongest demand coming in the Transport, Storage & Communications, and Manufacturing sectors.
- Despite continued angst over Brexit, modest growth is expected in the UK, particularly in the Construction and Utilities sectors.
- Employers in Greece are reporting their strongest hiring plans in 11 years, after a long and painful economic decline. Four sectors are at their highest levels since the survey began: Construction, Electricity, Gas & Water, Transport, Storage & Communication, and Wholesale & Retail Trade.
While overall global payroll is expected grow, some of the growth is slower than previous quarters or years. What are you seeing in your own country? What market sectors are hot right now?