Core Insights - Global employers are maintaining a stable hiring outlook for Q1 2026, with a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 24%, which is a 4% decrease year-over-year but a 4% increase from the previous quarter [1][2] Hiring Plans - 40% of organizations plan to increase staff, 40% will maintain current headcount, and 16% expect to reduce workforce levels [2] - Among those expanding, 37% cite organizational growth and 26% mention investment in new business areas as key motivators [2] - Only 19% of new hires are backfilling recent departures, indicating a shift in roles to meet current needs rather than simply refilling positions [2] Reasons for Workforce Reductions - 29% of employers planning headcount reductions cite economic challenges, 24% point to market changes reducing demand for certain roles, and 22% are reducing staff to align with current demand [3] - Only 20% attribute hiring hesitation to automation, emphasizing that economic conditions are the primary factor [3] Sector Insights - Employers in Finance & Insurance (32%), Information (29%), and Construction & Real Estate (27%) report the most optimistic hiring plans [6] - The Public Sector, Health & Social Services (20%), Utilities & Natural Resources (22%), and Trade & Logistics (23%) show the most cautious hiring plans [6] Regional Highlights - Asia Pacific (APAC) leads globally with a hiring outlook of 30%, unchanged quarter-over-quarter and up three points year-over-year, with India at 52% leading regional confidence [6] - The Americas have a second-strongest outlook at 26%, up one point quarter-over-quarter but down three points year-over-year, with Brazil at 54% leading globally [6] - North America stands at 25%, marking the region's lowest outlook since Q2 2021, down 22 points year-over-year [6] Organizational Size Impact - The largest organizations (5,000+ employees) report the weakest outlook at 21%, down 9 percentage points quarter-over-quarter and 25% year-over-year [4] - Mid-sized companies (250–999 employees) show the most optimistic outlook at 28% for Q1 [4]