ManpowerGroup Insights: Employment Outlook & Workforce Trends

The Employment Outlook Survey for Q4 2024 Explained

Written by Becky Frankiewicz | Sep 10, 2024 5:00:00 AM

As summer turns to fall, we’re pleased to report that the employment outlook for Q4 is strong. Based on our quarterly ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, 46 percent of employers report the intention to hire in the October-December 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 +34%. That’s a 4-point jump from last quarter, and a modest 2-point decrease from Q4 2023. The NEO realizes the difference between the percentage of employers planning to increase staff in the quarter (46%) minus the percentage expected to decrease staff (12%). 

For the 13th straight quarter, the strongest hiring expectations are in the Information Technology sector, where 51% of employers plan to add to staff. The sector with the second-highest hiring forecast is Financials and Real Estate with an NEO of 40%.  

This map diagram reveals regional NEO differences.