As Q1 2025 approaches, hiring managers across the Asia Pacific region are adopting a strategic and measured hiring approach.
The Employment Outlook survey reveals a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 27%, consistent with Q4 2024, but reflecting a slight dip of 3% compared to Q1 2024. The NEO metric is derived by subtracting the percentage of employers expecting staffing reductions from those planning to expand their workforce. This data is based on feedback from over 10,000 employers across seven APAC countries and territories.
Highlights Across the Region
The survey highlights strong hiring intentions in India (40%), Mainland China (29%), and Singapore (25%), while Hong Kong SAR demonstrated a more cautious outlook at 6%. Despite regional variations, the overall hiring pace indicates stability heading into the new year.
Sector-Wise Strengths
The financial and real estate sector leads hiring forecasts at 39%, followed closely by IT (38%) and healthcare and life sciences (31%). In the transport, logistics, and automotive sectors, Singapore reported an impressive 67% outlook, showcasing its strength in these industries.
Employers in Mainland China also reported strong figures, particularly in financials and real estate (53%), tied globally with Belgium, and in healthcare and life sciences (47%).
Organizational Trends
Large organizations, particularly those with over 5,000 employees, continue to show robust hiring plans, with a NEO of 37%, demonstrating their capacity to invest in talent despite global uncertainties.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
As the Asia Pacific (APAC) region heads into Q1 2025, employers are maintaining a measured and strategic approach to hiring, signaling resilience in the face of global uncertainties. Despite some variations in outlook across countries and sectors, the overall trend reflects stability and cautious optimism. The strongest hiring intentions are seen in sectors like financial services, IT, and healthcare, with large organizations leading the charge.
Key Takeaways:
- Stable Hiring Outlook: Employers are planning steady workforce expansion in early 2025, with a focus on securing the right talent for future growth.
- Sector Leadership: Financial services, IT, and healthcare are driving hiring intentions, making them key areas for job seekers to target.
- Resilience in Uncertainty: Employers are adapting to current economic conditions while prioritizing long-term talent needs.
- Opportunities for Large Organizations: Companies with 5,000+ employees are demonstrating the strongest hiring intent, offering opportunities for growth and stability in the workforce.
As businesses navigate the evolving global landscape, the ability to maintain a steady hiring strategy will be a key differentiator in achieving sustainable growth.
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