Uptick in hiring intentions 'reflect the region's adaptability and persistent focus on growth'
Hiring sentiments in the Asia-Pacific region strengthened for the second quarter of 2025 in an indication of a "promising sign for the market," according to the latest survey from ManpowerGroup.
Its latest Employment Outlook Survey revealed a 30% Net Employment Outlook for the APAC region, three points higher than the previous quarter.
According to the report, 44% of employers are expecting an increase in hiring, while 39% are expecting no changes.
Only 14% of employers anticipate a decrease in headcount, while three per cent remain unsure.
"The latest uptick in hiring intentions across APAC is a promising sign for the market," said François Lançon, President of Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) Region, ManpowerGroup, in a statement. "When compared to the previous quarter, the increased hiring intentions employers are reporting this quarter reflect the region's adaptability and persistent focus on growth."
By market, the stronger hiring outlooks in the APAC region are in India (43%), China (32%), and Singapore (27%).
On the other hand, the weakest hiring intentions were recorded in Hong Kong (11%) and Japan (14%).
By key industry sectors, the Information Technology businesses reported the brightest hiring outlook, up by four points from the previous quarter and eight points from the same period last year.
Similar to the rest of the world, tech advancements also emerged as one of the top reasons driving staffing increases for the second quarter.
In fact, the report found that tech advancements are fuelling job creation in APAC, particularly in markets such as:
"Initiatives like China's AI investment fund, Hong Kong's investment in an AI Research and Development Institute, and Singapore's New Enterprise Compute Initiative are fuelling demand for skilled talent, particularly in tech and AI," Lançon said.
"These efforts underscore the region's drive toward technological leadership, even amid economic challenges, solidifying APAC's position as a hub of resilience and opportunity."
