In the Q1 2026 edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, 12,193 employers across 10 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East (APME) region shared their hiring expectations for the first quarter of 2026.
Key Findings:
- Net Employment Outlook (NEO): The APME Net Employment Outlook stands at +31%, an increase of 3 percentage points from the previous quarter and up 7 percentage points year-on-year.
- Hiring Intentions: 44% of employers anticipate increasing staffing levels, while 13% expect a decrease and 39% anticipate no change.
- Regional Optimism: Hiring optimism is strongest in India (+52%) and the U.A.E. (+46%). Conversely, Hong Kong (+1%) and Singapore (+15%) report the most cautious forecasts. Israel recorded the most notable quarter-over-quarter change, increasing by 17 points.
- Industry Outlooks: The Information and Finance & Insurance sectors report the strongest hiring intentions, both at +38%, followed closely by the Tech & IT Services specialty sector (+37%) and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (+36%). Utilities & Natural Resources (+23%) reported the lowest outlook.
- Company Size: Large enterprises (5,000+ employees) report the highest hiring expectations (+38%). However, micro businesses (less than 10 employees) and small businesses (10-49 employees) showed the strongest improvement, both increasing by 9 points quarter-over-quarter.
- Drivers: The report highlights that hiring increases are primarily driven by company expansion, while economic challenges are the leading cause for anticipated workforce reductions.
