ManpowerGroup

43% of Employers Plan to Add Staff in Q4 as AI Reshapes Roles

Global – September 11, 2026 -- ManpowerGroup's Q4 2026 Employment Outlook Survey shows 43% of employers worldwide plan to increase staffing between October and December, against 14% anticipating cuts and 41% expecting no change, with soft economic conditions rather than AI cited as the main driver behind reductions.

Nearly two-thirds of hiring employers cite changing roles over expansion

Among employers adding staff, 62% point to changing roles and skills -- including new expertise demanded by advancing technology and shifts in service requirements -- as the primary reason. Company expansion remains the single largest driver at 39%, followed by advancing technology at 21%, skills shifts at 16%, and backfilling at 32%.

German Hiring Outlook Jumps 9 Points to 15% for Q4 2026

Frankfurt am Main – September 11, 2026 -- German employers' net employment outlook rose nine percentage points to 15% for the fourth quarter of 2026, marking the sharpest quarterly increase of the year and ending two consecutive quarters of decline, according to ManpowerGroup's latest labor market barometer.

Fewer companies plan job cuts, driving the rebound

The improvement stems primarily from a drop in firms planning workforce reductions, down to 17% from 24% in the prior quarter. Some 33% of employers intend to add staff, while 47% plan to keep headcount stable. Despite the gain, the outlook remains two points below the year-ago level and well under the global average of 29% and the European average of 20%.