APAC Hiring Intentions Hold Steady as Employers Maintain Measured Outlook
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey for the first quarter of 2025 reveals critical insights into the global labor market, showcasing the hiring intentions of over 40,413 employers across 42 countries. This comprehensive report serves as a vital resource for understanding employment trends, workforce dynamics, and industry outlooks in an ever-evolving economic landscape.
Gender Equality Progress
In a significant move towards inclusivity, 30% of companies report that they have fully achieved gender equality, up from 24% a year ago. This shift highlights the growing commitment among organizations to foster diverse workplaces. Furthermore, nearly 58% of organizations are advancing their pay equity initiatives, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Such progress is essential for promoting a balanced workforce and enhancing employee satisfaction.
Top Hiring Countries
India leads the charge with a remarkable +40% outlook, showcasing strong confidence in hiring.
The U.S. follows closely with a +34% outlook, indicating robust job creation efforts.
Mexico reports a +32% outlook, reflecting optimism in the labor market.
In contrast, Argentina reports the weakest outlook at -1%, signaling potential economic challenges, while Hong Kong shows a cautious +6%.
Regional Insights
North America emerges with the strongest hiring intentions at 32%, driven by demand across various sectors.
The Asia Pacific region maintains a solid outlook at 27%, with India leading the way.
South and Central Americas follow with a 23% outlook, while Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) face challenges with a 19% outlook, down 2 percentage points since Q4 2024.
Industry Trends
Information Technology continues to shine with the brightest future, reporting a 37% outlook, an increase of 2 percentage points from the previous quarter.
Financials & Real Estate stand strong at 33%, reflecting ongoing investments in these sectors.
Healthcare & Life Sciences maintain a positive outlook at 27%, underscoring the sector's resilience amid changing demands.
Conversely, Transport, Logistics & Automotive show a declining trend with a 24% outlook, while Energy & Utilities report a modest 10%, indicating potential challenges in these industries.
With a steady hiring outlook globally, the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey Q1 2025 serves as an essential tool for businesses and job seekers. The report underscores the importance of gender equality and pay equity initiatives, while also providing detailed insights into regional and industry-specific trends.
The Q1 2025 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey highlights a measured yet optimistic approach among employers in the APAC region, as they prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. To explore the complete results of the survey, including global and country-specific data, CLICK HERE.
The next survey will be released in March, providing insights into hiring expectations for the second quarter of 2025.
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