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Q1
ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
2026
GLOBAL FINDINGS
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Employer Hiring Sentiment
Outlooks by Vertical
About the Survey
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FAQ
FAQ
This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding labor demand in certain regions, countries and industries, and economic uncertainty. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, whose information is incorporated herein by reference. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.
Forward-Looking Statements
Survey responses were collected from October 1-31, 2025. Size of organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons.
ManpowerGroup has introduced an updated industry sector classification to ensure our insights more closely reflect today’s global economy. Beginning with this release, data will be reported across nine sectors: Construction & Real Estate; Finance & Insurance; Hospitality; Information; Manufacturing; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Public Sector, Health & Social Services; and Trade & Logistics. Historical data has been reclassified to maintain consistency over time, and national and regional results remain unchanged.
For more than six decades the survey has derived all of its information from a single question (Q1 2026 example):
“How do you anticipate total employment at your location to change in the three months to the end of March 2026 as compared to the current quarter?"
This sample allows for analysis to be performed across specific sectors and regions to provide more detailed information.
The survey is based on interviews with more than 39,000 public and private employers across 41 countries to measure anticipated employment trends each quarter.
The survey is conducted with a representative sample of employers from throughout the countries and territories in which it is conducted. The survey participants are not derived from ManpowerGroup’s customer base.
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world, asking employers to forecast employment over the next quarter. In contrast, other surveys and studies focus on retrospective data to report on what occurred in the past.
It is unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area of focus.
Survey Methodology
Focused
Robust
Independent
Unique
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key economic indicator. The Net Employment Outlook is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity. Running since 1962, various factors underpin the success of the Survey:
About the Survey
Public Sector, Health & Social Services
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
MOST IMPROVED
Utilities & Natural Resources
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Trade & Logistics
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Hospitality
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Manufacturing
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Construction & Real Estate
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Information
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Q1 2026
32%
Q4 2025
31%
Q3 2025
29%
Q2 2025
32%
Q1 2025
32%
Finance & Insurance
NEO
32%
+ Past Results
+ Past Results
Outlooks by Industry Vertical
India
52%
Strongest NEO
China
24%
Taiwan
22%
30% NEO
across the region for Q1 2026
+ 0%
from last quarter
+ 11%
compared to the same time last year
Asia Pacific
Hiring demand across the region is driven by employers in:
40%
Finance & Insurance
37%
Organizations with 1,000-4,999 and 5,000+ employees
U.A.E.
46%
Strongest NEO
The Netherlands
36%
Ireland
31%
20% NEO
across the Region for Q1 2026
+ 11%
from last quarter
- 0%
compared to the same time last year
Europe & Middle East
Hiring demand across the region is driven by employers in:
25%
Finance & Insurance
24%
Organizations with 50-249 employees
Brazil
54%
Strongest NEO
Guatemala
28%
U.S.
27%
Organizations with 250-999 employees
30%
Finance & Insurance
34%
Hiring demand across the region is driven by employers in:
compared to the same time last year
- 10%
from last quarter
+ 4%
across the Region for Q1 2026
26% NEO
Americas
Asia Pacific
Europe & Middle East
Americas
Top Employment Outlooks by Region
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
The Global NEO for Q1 2026 is 24%, improved by 4% since the previous quarter and weakened by 4% when compared to the same time last year.
Changes Over Time
Findings
+
Findings
+
Findings
+
Findings
+
4%
Were Unsure
40%
Reported
No Change
16%
Anticipated a Decrease
40%
Anticipated an Increase
To understand the overall impact on hiring, referred to as the Net Employment Outlook (NEO), the percentage of employers expecting to decrease staffing levels is subtracted from those intending to increase hiring.
Net Employment Outlook Results
Q1 2026
Staffing Additions and Reductions
30%
Asia-Pacific Region
Brazil
54%
Finance & Insurance
32%
Organizations with 250-999 Employees
28%
of employers globally said they plan to increase their staff, citing their company expansion as the main reason.
40%
Organizations with 5000+ Employees
28%
54%
Hong Kong
32%
Hospitality
of employers reported they're anticipating staff reductions, mainly due to economic challenges.
16%
4%
Were Unsure
40%
Reported
No Change
16%
Anticipateda Decrease
40%
Anticipated an Increase
Steady Workforce Levels Anticipated
of employers were unsure how staffing levels would change, due to shifting customer needs and economic uncertainty.
4%
of employers planned to keep staffing levels unchanged from January to March, dropping 11% since the previous quarter, and reported that their current staff is enough to meet their goals.
40%
4%
Were Unsure
40%
Reported
No Change
16%
Anticipated a Decrease
40%
Anticipated an Increase
The Equation
The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) measures the % difference between expected increases and decreases in staffing for the quarter.
What Sets It Apart
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the world’s most comprehensive and forward-looking employment survey, serving as a trusted labor market indicator since 1962.
What Is It?
reported whether staffing levels will stay the same, increase through hiring, decrease due to layoffs, retirements, or contract endings, or if they’re unsure.
More than 39,000 employers
Understanding the Survey
Q1 Employer Hiring Sentiment
Compared to the same time last year
- 4%
Global Employment Outlooks since the previous quarter
+ 4%
as they forecast Q1 staffing changes in the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
24%
countries reported a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of
41
employers across
39,063
Executive Summary
-
=
%
%
NEO
Expected Staffing Increase
Expected Staffing Decrease
More than 6,500 Tech and IT Services’ employers acros 42 countries were asked about their first quarter hiring intentions.
28%
27%
26%
31%
29%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
27%
31%
28%
23%
27%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
32%
31%
34%
32%
27%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
27%
24%
23%
22%
25%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
25%
25%
21%
29%
24%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
22%
22%
21%
21%
23%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
11%
14%
16%
20%
22%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
22%
21%
18%
15%
20%
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
NEO
29%
NEO
27%
NEO
27%
NEO
25%
NEO
24%
NEO
23%
NEO
22%
NEO
20%
View data from all 41 countries >
Employer Hiring Sentiment
Employer Hiring Sentiment
Global Employment Outlooks since the previous quarter
+ 4%
reported whether staffing levels will stay the same, increase through hiring, decrease due to layoffs, retirements, or contract endings, or if they’re unsure.
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT IS IT?
Unique
Independent
Robust
Focused
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