ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook for Q4 2024
APAC Hiring Intentions Show Improvement Amid Economic Caution
- The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for Q4 2024 in Asia Pacific is +27%, improving 4% from Q3 2024, but weakening 5% year-over-year.
- Employers in India (+37%), Singapore (+29%), and China (+27%) report the strongest Outlooks in the region, while Hong Kong shows the most cautious Outlook at +8%.
- The Financials & Real Estate sector continues to lead hiring intentions (+37%), followed by the IT sector (+35%).
- Larger organizations demonstrate stronger hiring intentions, with companies of 1,000-4,999 employees reporting the highest Outlook at +36%.
The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey reveals that hiring managers across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region anticipate a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of +27% for Q4
2024, reflecting a quarter-over-quarter increase of 4% but a year-over-year decline of 5%, after seasonal adjustment. This survey, conducted from July 1-31, 2024, among over 10,000
employers across seven APAC countries and territories, indicates that while hiring intentions are improving, economic uncertainties continue to temper optimism.
"The labor market across Asia Pacific is demonstrating a level of resilience as we approach the fourth quarter. The increase in hiring intentions from the previous quarter signals that employers are adjusting to ongoing economic challenges and are keen to secure the talent necessary for growth" said Mr. François Lançon, President, of Asia Pacific & Middle East Region, ManpowerGroup.
Mr. Lançon added, “We continue to see a strong outlook in the IT sector, highlighting the critical role of technology in driving workforce demand across the region. As digital transformation and the adoption of AI technology accelerate, the need for skilled IT professionals continues to rise, making it essential for businesses to invest in talent attraction and development.”
Used internationally as a bellwether of labor market trends, the NEO is calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers who anticipate reductions in staffing levels from those who plan to hire.
GLOBAL HIRING PLANS BY REGION
Asia Pacific (APAC): Hiring managers across the region anticipate the second strongest regional Outlook (27%), an increase from the previous quarter (+4%) but decreased when
compared to the same time last year (-5%).
- Employers in India (37%), Singapore (29%), and China (27%) continue to report the strongest Outlooks in the region, while the most cautious Outlook was reported by employers in Hong Kong (8%).
- Singapore reported the strongest global Outlook for the Financials & Real Estate sector at 64%.
North America: North American employers remain the most optimistic with a 32% Outlook in Q4, an increase of 5% from Q3 2024, but still down -3% from Q4 2023.
- Employers in the United States (34%) reported the strongest hiring intentions in the region, increasing 4% quarter-over-quarter.
- U.S. employers continue to report one of the strongest global Outlooks for the IT sector.
Central &South America: At 23%, hiring projections improved quarter-over-quarter (+1%), but declined year-over-year (-8%).
- The strongest intentions are reported by employers in Costa Rica (36%), Brazil (32%), and Guatemala (30%).
- Employers in Guatemala report the strongest hiring Outlook globally for the Consumer Goods & Services sector (56%), while Costa Rica reports the strongest intentions in both the IT (53%) and Industrials & Materials (43%) sectors.
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA): Employers in EMEA report the lowest hiring Outlook among all regions at 21%. While hiring intentions weakened -3% compared to the same period last year, they have strengthened by +2% since Q3 2024.
- Employers in South Africa and Switzerland (both 32%), Ireland and the Netherlands (both 30%) report the strongest hiring plans, while those in Israel (8%) and the Czech Republic (11%) anticipate the weakest hiring activity.
- Both the United Kingdom (28%) and France (22%) report Outlooks surpassing the EMEA average.
- Belgium reports the strongest global Outlook for the Healthcare & Life Sciences sector (62%), while South Africa leads in Energy & Utilities (55%).
To view the complete results of the Q4 2024 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, including Global and Asia Pacific data, visit: https://www.manpowerthailand.
ABOUT THE SURVEY
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key labor market indicator. The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) 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.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The methodology used to collect NEO data has been digitized. Survey responses were collected from July 1-31, 2024, and 40,340 employers across 42* countries and territories were
asked about their fourth-quarter hiring intentions. Both the questions asked, and the respondent profile remain unchanged. The size of the organization and sector are standardized across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons. All NEOs referenced have been seasonally adjusted for easier interpretation, comparison, and consistency.
*Note: Chile joined the program in Q2 2024. There is currently no historical data, and the data has not been seasonally adjusted.
ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP THAILAND
Established in March 1998, ManpowerGroup Thailand is part of ManpowerGroup & global network, which spans 75 countries. For over 26 years, it has been a leading provider of
solutions and insights across various industries in Thailand. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including permanent recruitment, subcontracting, temporary
outsourcing, executive recruitment, IT sector recruitment, international recruitment, payroll services, outsourcing, visa and work permit assistance, career transition programs, and Japanese and Chinese business services. Manpower specializes in serving a diverse range of industries, from sales to manufacturing operations.
For more information, please visit www.manpowerthailand.com or call 02 171 2345.
