ManpowerGroup Insights: Employment Outlook & Workforce Trends

The Employment Outlook Survey for Q3 2024 Explained

Written by Becky Frankiewicz | Jun 11, 2024 5:00:00 AM

As we head into summer, U.S. employers continue to report positive hiring plans. Based on our quarterly ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, 48 percent of employers report the intention to hire in the July-September time period.   

Our quarterly Employment Outlook Survey measures employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their payrolls in the coming quarter. Now in its 62nd year, it’s the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind, used globally as a key economic indicator.      

The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for the U.S. stands at +30%. That’s the difference between the percentage of employers planning to increase staff in the quarter (48%) minus the percentage expected to decrease staff (18%).  This figure represents a 4-point decrease from last quarter. 

For the eleventh straight quarter, the strongest hiring expectations are in the Information Technology sector, with an NEO of +50%. The sector with the second-highest hiring forecast is Industrials & Materials with an NEO of +33%. The comprehensive report encompasses insights across nine distinct industry sectors.  

This map diagram reveals regional NEO differences.