Global Labor Market To Remain Stable in 1Q25: ManpowerGroup

Global hiring intentions seem stable for 1Q25, with regional and sectoral variations reflecting uneven recovery and adaptation, according to ManpowerGroup’ Employment Outlook Survey, which gathered data from over 40,000 employers in 42 countries.

ManpowerGroup reports a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 25% for 1Q25, according to the survey, which also reveals that the Americas lead on hiring expectations. This result suggests that hiring trends remain mostly unchanged from the previous quarter.

“The fluctuations we have seen in recent quarters are beginning to stabilize,” says Jonas Prising, Chair and CEO, ManpowerGroup. “Employers know a skilled and adaptable workforce is key to navigating transformation, and many are prioritizing hiring and retaining people with in-demand, flexible skills.”

In the Americas, the NEO stands at 29%, marking a one-point sequential improvement but a three-point decline year-over-year. The United States and Mexico lead the region with NEOs of 34% and 32%, respectively, while Argentina faces challenges, reporting a negative NEO of -1%.

Globally, the IT sector remains the strongest for hiring, with a NEO of 37%, followed by Financials and Real Estate (33%) and Healthcare and Life Sciences (27%). These industries benefit from technological innovation and post-pandemic market adjustments.

Mexico anticipates growth in sectors such as manufacturing and logistics, supported by nearshoring and increased foreign investment.

Mid-sized organizations, referring to those with 250 to 999 employees, report the strongest hiring intentions at 31%, followed by large enterprises with 1,000 to 4,999 employees at 29%.