Employers Across APME Hold Steady with a Net Employment Outlook of +28%

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:38:00 +0800

• The Net Employment Outlook for Q4 2025 in Asia Pacific and the Middle East stands at +28%. 
• Employers in UAE (+45%), India (+40%), and China (+34%) report the strongest Outlooks in the region. The UAE continues to rank first globally, exceeding the global average by 22 percentage points.
• The Information Technology sector continues to lead hiring intentions (+38%), followed by Financials and Real Estate (+38%), and Transport, Logistics, and Automotive (+32%).
• 42% of employers in the region plan to hire in Q4, with 41% citing company expansion as the top reason for staffing increases, followed by new ventures requiring additional roles (34%).

SINGAPORE, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey shows a steady labor market in Asia Pacific and the Middle East (APME), with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of +28% for Q4 2025—remaining unchanged from Q3 2025 and up five points compared to Q4 2024. Employers in United Arab Emirates (UAE) continue to lead at +45%.

The Survey, which gathered data from over 12,437 employers across 10 APME countries and territories, found that employers are evenly split, with 42% planning to expand their workforce and another 42% aiming to maintain current staffing levels. Meanwhile, 13% anticipate a reduction in headcount.

"Across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, employers are navigating a complex landscape with a steady hand, focusing on long-term workforce resilience. While expansion and diversification continue to drive hiring across the region, there is a noticeable shift toward more strategic talent planning," said François Lançon, Regional President, Asia Pacific & Middle East, ManpowerGroup. "Employers are rethinking how work gets done, aligning talent strategies with business continuity and adaptability. This reflects a broader shift toward workforce agility, where stability and flexibility go hand in hand."

Besides employment Outlooks, the APME report highlights shifting talent strategies. View the full results here: www.manpowergroup.com.sg/meos-apme

About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years.