New Year, New Jobs...
For Some

Unemployed? Head to India or Australia. Job seekers across most of the Asia Pacific region will start the year with employment opportunities similar to those prior to the global economic downturn, according to new research by employment services firm Manpower Inc., while employment prospects in the Americas remain muted, though generally improved, from three months ago. In the U.S., employers are more optimistic, but still forecast the weakest first-quarter hiring pace since 1982. Across Europe, hiring sentiments are mixed with employers in eight countries indicating modest improvements compared to three months ago.

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey results show employers in 25 of 35 countries and territories surveyed expect some positive hiring activity in the first quarter, and the number of nations reporting negative expectations decreased from 15 three months ago to nine. However, employers in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania report their weakest hiring plans to date. Employers in 19 countries and territories report stronger year-over-year outlooks. First-quarter hiring plans are strongest in India, Brazil, Singapore, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Australia, Peru and Hong Kong and weakest in Ireland, Romania and Spain.

Of the 18 countries surveyed in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, hiring expectations are mixed, with employers in nine countries reporting positive hiring activity for the quarter ahead. Compared to three months ago, outlooks improved in nine EMEA countries, and in eight where year-over-year comparisons can be made. Hiring activity in the region is expected to be strongest in Norway, Sweden and Germany.

In the Asia Pacific region, hiring plans are strongest in India, Singapore, Taiwan and Australia, with the weakest and only negative outlook again reported in Japan. Job prospects improve quarter-over-quarter in all eight countries and territories with the most notable gains seen in Australia, India and New Zealand. Year-over-year comparisons also reveal stronger hiring plans in all countries and territories except Japan.

Of the nine countries surveyed in the Americas region, hiring expectations have improved somewhat from three months ago in all countries with the exception Colombia. However, year-over-year comparisons remain mixed, with the most notable improvement reported by Mexican employers. Regional hiring plans are strongest in Brazil, Costa Rica and Peru.

The next Manpower Employment Outlook Survey will be released on March 9 to report hiring expectations for the second quarter. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is available free of charge to the public through their local Manpower representative in participating countries. Receive e-mail notifications at the Manpower Web site.