On June 9, 2026, ManpowerGroup Inc. released its latest Employment Outlook Survey, revealing that global hiring expectations remain steady year-over-year, although there is a notable caution in the short term. The survey, which gathered insights from over 40,500 employers across 42 countries, indicates that the global Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for Q3 2026 stands at 26%. This marks a decrease of five percentage points from the previous quarter but an improvement of two percentage points compared to the same quarter last year.

2. Key Findings

Despite the overall positive annual trend, the survey highlights a weakening of hiring outlooks in 33 out of 42 countries compared to the previous quarter. Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chair & CEO, commented on the findings, stating, "What the data this quarter reveals is a labor market navigating uncertainty while pursuing selective opportunity." He emphasized that economic uncertainty, rather than advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), is driving caution in hiring, particularly in Europe, Asia, and among large enterprises.

Hiring Plans Breakdown

The survey disclosed that 42% of organizations plan to increase their workforce in Q3, down from 45% in the previous quarter. Conversely, 40% intend to maintain their current headcount, with 16% anticipating reductions. The anticipated hiring increases are primarily linked to company expansion, while any anticipated reductions stem from prevailing economic challenges.

3. The Role of AI in Hiring

Human Judgment Remains Paramount

While AI continues to influence productivity and workforce management, the survey reveals that employers are hesitant to fully rely on AI for hiring decisions. A significant 57% of respondents ranked human resume reviewers as the most valuable hiring resource, surpassing various AI tools:

Automated status updates and communication tools: 48%

AI-assisted job description writing: 46%

AI-driven resume screening: 44%

AI-enhanced tools for skill assessments: 43%

Always-on AI solutions with human oversight: 41%

In-Demand Skills

As companies integrate AI into their operations, certain soft skills have emerged as particularly valuable. The most sought-after skills according to the survey include:

Communication, collaboration, and teamwork: 72%

Critical thinking and problem-solving: 68%

Professionalism and work ethic: 68%

Adaptability and willingness to learn: 68%

Time management and prioritization: 64%

4. Sector and Regional Highlights

Sector Insights

The survey highlights differences in hiring intentions across various sectors. Notably:

Information (32%) and Construction & Real Estate (31%) sectors report the strongest hiring plans for Q3 2026, followed closely by Finance & Insurance (29%).

The Utilities & Natural Resources sector experienced the most significant year-over-year improvement, with an increase of eight points, indicating selective demand.

The Hospitality sector, however, shows the most cautious hiring plans, reflecting its lowest figures since Q3 2021.

Regional Hiring Plans

The regional analysis indicates notable disparities:

The Americas is the only region demonstrating resilience, with a slight decline of three points quarter-over-quarter but an improvement of seven points year-over-year. Puerto Rico (48%) and the United States (45%) lead in hiring confidence.

In contrast, the Asia Pacific region posted a 28% NEO, down 11 points from the previous quarter and one point year-over-year. India leads this region with a hiring confidence rate of 48%.

Europe and the Middle East reported the weakest outlook at 16%, down seven points quarter-over-quarter and three points year-over-year. Slovakia (-6%) and Romania (-12%) posted the lowest results globally, while the United Kingdom (37%) stood out positively.

5. Conclusion and Future Outlook

ManpowerGroup's Employment Outlook Survey indicates a complex labor market characterized by cautious optimism. While mid-size employers exhibit strong hiring intentions, the overall landscape reflects economic uncertainties that continue to shape employer confidence. As companies adapt to the rapid integration of AI, the focus on essential human skills remains vital.

The next iteration of the Employment Outlook Survey will be released in September 2026, offering insights into hiring expectations for Q4 2026. For those interested in a detailed exploration of the global hiring trends and statistics, the complete Q3 2026 report is available from ManpowerGroup.

Original press release