Global Hiring Intentions Remain Steady for Q2 2025 Amid Ongoing Uncertainty

March 17, 2025 – Global hiring intentions hold steady heading into the second quarter of 2025, with employers reporting a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 25 percent, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The results, which gathered data from nearly 40,000 employers across 41 countries during January 2025, show the outlook holding steady for the third consecutive quarter while demonstrating a modest three percentage point increase year-over-year. The majority of employers – 42 percent – expect to maintain current staffing levels, 40 percent anticipate an increase in hiring, 18 percent anticipate a decrease or are unsure. For employers anticipating a staffing decrease in the second quarter, economic uncertainty is cited as the main challenge, followed by adapting to market changes.

“We are pleased to see hiring outlooks holding steady for three consecutive quarters now – the longest period of stability we have seen since before the pandemic,” said Jonas Prising, chair and CEO of ManpowerGroup. “Despite continued economic and political uncertainty, employers are holding onto the skilled workers they have and hiring cautiously for new talent, particularly those with in-demand skills that will enable their business to transform. As AI accelerates, we expect to see a greater focus on skills development as organizations seek to guide their workforce through a period of transition.”

With stable outlooks across the regions, employers in the Asia Pacific (30 percent) region reported the strongest hiring intentions, followed by the Americas (29 percent), and Europe and the Middle East (20 percent). Employers in 27 countries report a stronger hiring outlook compared with the same period last year, weakening in eight, and remaining unchanged in six.

Employment Outlooks Across Europe and the Middle East

Hiring expectations remain the lowest in Europe and the Middle East (20 percent) and has strengthened by one point since Q1 2025 and four points year-over-year. Outlooks vary across the region with employers most keen to hire in the U.K. The strongest outlook globally for the energy and utilities industry vertical was reported by employers in Switzerland (59 percent), healthcare and life sciences in Austria (55 percent), and transport, logistics, and automotive in the Netherlands (53 percent).

Employment Outlooks Across the Asia Pacific

Hiring managers across the Asia-Pacific countries anticipate the strongest regional outlook (30 percent), increasing by three points when compared to both the previous quarter and the same time last year. India, China, and Singapore, continue to report the strongest outlooks in the region. The most cautious outlooks were reported by employers in Hong Kong and Japan. The strongest outlook globally for the communication services industry vertical was reported by employers in China (49 percent) and industrials and materials in India (48 percent).

Employment Outlooks Across the Americas

Employers across North, Central, and South America reported the strongest regional outlook for the second quarter (29 percent), with hiring intentions unchanged since the previous quarter but slightly increasing (+ three points) when compared to the same period last year. Employers in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica reported the strongest hiring intentions across the regions for the second quarter. Weakest outlooks were reported in Argentina, Chile, and Puerto Rico. The strongest outlooks globally for both the financials & real estate and information technology industry verticals were reported by employers in Costa Rica (74 percent and 55 percent, respectively), with the brightest outlooks in the consumer goods and services industry (39 percent) by employers in Mexico.

Outlooks by Industry Vertical

The global NEO for the communications services industry is 15 percent. This figure remains relatively stable when compared to both the previous quarter and the same time last year, changing by +one and -one point, respectively.

Related: Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly to 4.1 Percent

The global NEO for the consumer goods and services industry is 24 percent. This metric increased since both the previous quarter and when compared to the same period last year by four and six points, respectively.

The global NEO for the energy and utilities industry is 14 percent. This figure increased since the previous quarter but decreased when compared to the same period last year by four and four points, respectively.

Executive Search 2025: Balancing AI Innovation with a Human Touch

The executive search industry is entering one of its most transformative eras, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and shifting client needs and expectations. In 2024, firms faced many challenges marked by economic uncertainty, evolving workforce dynamics, and increasing demand for specialized leadership roles. While internal talent mobility and cautious hiring strategies were dominant themes, the need for resilient, adaptable leaders capable of driving innovation has positioned the industry for a pivotal shift in 2025, recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media. Firms are stepping up to meet these demands by integrating cutting-edge technology into their workflows while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human expertise.

Technology, particularly AI, is reshaping how firms identify, evaluate, and connect with top talent. From automating routine tasks to uncovering deeper insights into market trends and candidate fit, these tools enhance efficiency and precision. However, as industry leaders emphasize, the human element remains central to success in this relationship-driven field. By leveraging AI to scale capabilities without sacrificing the personalized touch, executive search firms are not only redefining their processes but also reimagining their role as strategic talent advisors. As 2025 unfolds, the firms that can balance technological innovation with a deep understanding of leadership and culture will set the standard for the future of the industry.

The global NEO for the financials and real estate industry is 32 percent. This statistic decreased by one percentage point since the previous quarter and increased by three points when compared to the same period last year.

The global NEO for the healthcare and life sciences industry is 28 percent. This figure remains relatively stable since the previous quarter and increased slightly when compared to the same period last year, increasing by one and two points, respectively.

The global NEO for the industrials and materials industry is 27 percent. This statistic remains relatively unchanged since the previous quarter and improved when compared to the same period last year, by one and five points, respectively.

The global NEO for the information technology industry is 35 percent. This figure has remained relatively stable when compared to both the previous quarter and the same time last year, decreasing by two points and increasing by one point, respectively.

The global NEO for the transport, logistics, and automotive industry is 23 percent. This metric has slightly decreased since the previous quarter and increased when compared to the same period last year by one and seven points, respectively.

Related: Predicting Talent Acquisition Trends for 2025

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media