Q2 Employment Outlook

UK Employment Outlook for Q2 2023

In the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey of 2,020 employers, six of the nine sectors report higher intentions than the previous quarter. Employers around the country continue to anticipate hiring more workers in the second quarter of 2023, reporting a seasonally adjusted, Net Employment Outlook of +21%. Hiring intentions are up two percentage-points quarter-over-quarter and soften by -10 percentage-points when compared to this time last year.

Regional Hiring
Expectations for Q2

When considering how staffing levels will change during the second quarter, employers in all UK regions anticipate a net positive hiring Outlook.

East Midlands is the most optimistic region this quarter, with an Outlook of +30%, a 23 percentage-point increase on the last quarter but four percentage-points weaker year-on-year.
Wales (+9%) and reports the weakest Outlook, with a decrease of -17 percentage-points to Q4 and -23 percentage-points weaker year-on-year.

Scotland (+23%) has dropped three percentage-points since last quarter, while Northern Ireland (+21%) has climbed by three percentage-points.

Employer Hiring Expectations for April – June

When considering how staffing levels will change during the second quarter, employers in 24 of 24 countries anticipate a net positive hiring Outlook.

Seasonally Adjusted, Net Employment Outlooks (%)

High Demand Anticipated for Talent Across Key Sectors

Digital roles continue to drive most demand in the UK: Organisations in the IT industry continue to report the most optimistic Outlook, followed by Communication Services, Transport, Logistics & Automotive, and Financials & Real Estate.

*Government or Public Service; Not for Profit/NGO/Charity/Religious organization; Other Industry; Other Transport, Logistics & Automobiles Sub-Industry; Educational Institutions; Agriculture & Fishing