India Inc. Leads Hiring Sentiment Globally For Next Quarter; Check Which Sectors Are Hiring

The survey highlights that the Northern region of India continues to lead in job demand with an outlook of 41 per cent. In comparison, the Western region follows with a 39 per cent outlook

India Inc. is showing the strongest hiring sentiment globally for the next three months, with 37 per cent of employers planning to increase their workforce. This reflects a positive outlook on the country's economic prospects, according to The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey for Q4 2024, released on Tuesday.

The survey also reveals that India's Net Employment Outlook (NEO) stands at 37 per cent. This places India at the top globally, ahead of Costa Rica at 36 per cent and the United States at 34 per cent.

The NEO is calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers expecting to reduce their staffing levels from those intending to hire. For Q4 (October-December), India's employment outlook remains at 37 per cent, marking a 7 per cent increase from Q3 2024 and holding steady compared to the same period last year.

Commenting on the survey’s findings, Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup India and Middle East, said, "The hiring intention of employers signifies the positive outlook in the country’s economic position that has been reinforced by exports as a result of multilateral foreign policies and large-scale infrastructure development. Coupled with this, is our demographic advantage that is expected to boost our competitiveness in the global market.”

The survey reveals that employers across all sectors are reporting net positive hiring intentions, with the financial and real estate industries showing the most robust outlook at 47 per cent. They are followed by the information technology sector at 46 per cent, industrials and materials at 36 per cent, and consumer goods and services at 35 per cent. The communication services sector has the least optimistic outlook, at 28 per cent.

Additionally, the survey highlights that the Northern region of India continues to lead in job demand with an outlook of 41 per cent. In comparison, the Western region follows with a 39 per cent outlook.

Gulati noted that India is expected to capitalise on high domestic consumption, government initiatives designed to boost the economy, increasing demand for outsourcing services, and a manufacturing boom. "With increased focus on skill development to meet market demands, India may be able to reduce unemployment and fasten the pace of economic development by creating a more capable and adaptable workforce that meets the needs of the emerging industries,” he said.

Hiring managers in Asia-Pacific are expecting a second-best regional outlook of 27 per cent, marking a 4 per cent increase from the previous quarter but a decline compared to the same period last year. India, Singapore, and China are still leading with the strongest employment outlooks in the region, while Hong Kong has the most cautious outlook at 8 per cent.