APAC Hiring Intentions Hold Steady as Employers Maintain Measured Outlook

• The Net Employment Outlook for Q1 2025 in Asia Pacific is 27%, this is unchanged from Q4, and down 3% compared to Q1 2024
• Employers in India (+40%), Mainland China (+29%) and Singapore (+25%) report the strongest outlooks in the region, while Hong Kong SAR shows the most cautious outlook (+6%).
• The Financials & Real Estate sector continues to lead hiring intentions (+39%), followed by the IT sector (+38%) and Healthcare and Life Sciences (+31%).
• Larger organizations demonstrate the strongest hiring intentions, with companies of 5,000+  employees reporting the outlook (+37%).

SINGAPORE, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey shows hiring managers across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region will take a measured approach into Q1 2025 recording a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 27%, this is consistent with Q4 2024 and 3% lower compared to Q1 2024.

The Survey, which gathered data from over 40,000 employers across 42 countries between October 1-31, 2024, including over 10,000 employers across seven APAC countries and territories, indicates that employers expect to maintain a steady hiring pattern as they head into the new year.

"The fact employers across the APAC region are indicating they will hold a steady and consistent hiring pattern into quarter one, amid ongoing global uncertainty, is positive news," said Francois Lancon, President – Asia Pacific & Middle East Region. "The latest figures suggest employers are continuing to demonstrate a level of resilience to the current economic conditions as they maintain their focus on hiring the talent they need for future growth."

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. 

To view the full press release and the complete results of the Q1 2025 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, visit: https://www.manpowergroup.com.sg/meos-apac. The next survey will be released in March, reporting hiring expectations for the second quarter of 2025.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, due to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. ManpowerGroup disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this release, except as required by law.

SOURCE ManpowerGroup