ManpowerGroup interviewed over 34,000 employers in 43 countries and territories to forecast labor market activity* in the third quarter of 2020. All participants were asked, “How do you anticipate total employment at your location to change in the three months to the end of September 2020 as compared to the current quarter?” Interviewing was carried out during the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak. The survey findings for the third quarter of 2020 are likely to reflect the impact of the global health emergency, and the subsequent economic shutdown in many countries.

Employers in 35 of the 43 countries and territories surveyed by ManpowerGroup for the third quarter of 2020 expect to reduce payrolls in the period up to the end of September 2020, while payroll gains are expected in seven countries and a flat labor market is anticipated in one.

In a comparison with the second quarter of 2020, hiring prospects weaken in 42 of the 43 countries and territories, while no change is reported in one. Employers in all 43 countries and territories report weaker hiring sentiment when compared with this time one year ago. The strongest hiring pace is anticipated in Japan, India, the United States, China and Taiwan, while employers in Singapore, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru and South Africa forecast the weakest labor markets.

In 24 of the 26 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region countries, employers expect to trim payrolls during the forthcoming quarter, although limited workforce gains are expected in both Croatia and Germany. Hiring plans weaken in all 26 EMEA countries in comparison with both the prior quarter and last year at this time. The strongest labor markets are anticipated in Croatia and Germany, while the weakest are expected by employers in South Africa, Slovakia and Romania.

In four of the seven Asia Pacific countries and territories surveyed, employers anticipate an increase in payrolls during the next three months, while a dip in workforce levels is expected in two and flat hiring activity in one. When compared with the second quarter of 2020, hiring plans weaken in six countries and territories, but are unchanged in one, while employers report weaker hiring intentions in all seven when compared with this time one year ago. Japanese and Indian employers anticipate the strongest labor markets in the region, while the weakest hiring activity is expected in Singapore and Australia.

Workforce reductions are forecast for nine of the 10 Americas countries during the July to September period, with employers in the tenth – the United States – anticipating limited job gains. Hiring sentiment weakens in all 10 Americas countries in comparison with both the second quarter of 2020 and third quarter of 2019. With United States employers expecting the strongest hiring pace, the weakest labor markets are forecast in Costa Rica, Colombia and Peru.

Full survey results for each of the 43 countries and territories included in this quarter’s survey, plus regional and global comparisons, can be found here