Business
Global Hiring Intentions Strengthen as Employment Outlook Hits Returns to 2022 Levels
Employer hiring intentions are strengthening heading into the second quarter of 2026, according to ManpowerGroup's latest Employment Outlook Survey of more than 41,700 employers across 42 countries. The global Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for Q2 2026 stands at 31%, up six points from the previous quarter and rising seven points year-over-year, marking its strongest reading since Q3 2022. The data for the second quarter was collected between January 1 and February 3, 2026, prior to geopolitical d
About this update from Manpowergroup
[{"type":"text","content":"Latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey finds employers are predicting hiring plans at their highest level since Q3 2022, with a Net Employment Outlook of 31% for Q2 2026","length":177,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"MILWAUKEE, March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Employer hiring intentions are strengthening heading into the second quarter of 2026, according to ManpowerGroup's latest Employment Outlook Survey of more than 41,700 employers across 42 countries. The global Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for Q2 2026 stands at 31%, up six points from the previous quarter and rising seven points year-over-year, marking its strongest reading since Q3 2022. The data for the second quarter was collected between January 1 and February 3, 2026, prior to geopolitical developments that began across the Middle East in late February. The findings reflect employer sentiment at the time of data collection and may not capture the potential impact of subsequent events.","length":743,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"While 45% of organizations plan to increase staff in Q2, 40% plan to maintain current headcount, and 13% anticipate reductions, improving three points from last quarter. Only 2% of employers remain unsure of their hiring intentions, down from 4% last quarter, signaling that economic uncertainty is beginning to ease.","length":317,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""The data tells a nuanced story, with more employers hiring for expansion and to backfill roles, and fewer reducing headcount than we've seen in recent quarters. Yet the second-largest group remains those holding steady, watching the environment before they commit," said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chair & CEO. "Though current geopolitical uncertainty may contribute to more hesitancy, the direction is encouraging, and businesses have become used to navigating complex environments. The results demonstrate organizations continue to see human talent as a core component in the engine of growth while working to understand where AI genuinely adds value."","length":685,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"AI Adoption and Workforce StrategyBeyond hiring intentions, the survey examined how employers are deploying AI across workforce strategy, finding widespread adoption but uneven returns.","length":186,"tagName":"...