About the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey

The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key economic indicator. The Net Employment Outlook is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity. Running since 1962, various factors underpin the success of the Survey:

Unique
It is unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area of focus. The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey is the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world, asking employers to forecast employment over the next quarter. In contrast, other surveys and studies focus on retrospective data to report on what occurred in the past.

Independent
The survey is conducted with a representative sample of employers from throughout the countries and territories in which it is conducted. The survey participants are not derived from ManpowerGroup’s customer base.

Robust
The survey is based on interviews with nearly 38,849 public and private employers across 41 countries and territories to measure anticipated employment trends each quarter. This sample allows for analysis to be performed across specific sectors and regions to provide more detailed information.

Focused
For more than six decades the survey has derived all of its information from a single question: “How do you anticipate total employment at your location to change in the three months to the end of September 2023 as compared to the current quarter?”

Survey Methodology

The methodology used to collect the data for the Employment Outlook has been digitised in 41 markets for the Q3 2023 report.

Responses prior to Q1 2022 were contacted via telephone and are now collected in a double opt-in online panels where members are incentivised to complete the survey.

The question asked and the respondent profile remains unchanged. Size of organisation and sector are standardised across all countries and territories to allow international comparisons.