Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India has retained the strongest hiring outlook globally for the third quarter of 2026, with employers reporting a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 48 per cent, according to a report released on June 9.
According to an analysis by ManpowerGroup, the Net Employment Outlook (NEO) is 48 per cent for the July-September quarter.
Around 60 per cent of employers expect to increase hiring during the quarter, while 29 per cent plan to maintain current staffing levels.
About 11 per cent anticipate a reduction in workforce and 1 per cent remain uncertain about their hiring plans, it said.
“India’s Q3 2026 hiring outlook remains the strongest globally, reflecting continued employer confidence in the country’s growth trajectory despite an increasingly complex business environment,” said Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup India and Middle East.
He said the moderation from the previous quarter reflected a more cautious and selective hiring approach rather than a decline in business confidence.
Strong activity in manufacturing and services, along with the continued expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), continues to support hiring demand, he added.
At the same time, employers are navigating challenges such as AI-led workforce optimisation, softer demand for entry-level hiring, global trade uncertainty and geopolitical developments affecting supply chains and business costs.
Sector-wise, hiring sentiment weakened across eight of the nine sectors tracked in the survey on a quarter-on-quarter basis.
The trade and logistics sector recorded the sharpest decline in hiring expectations, followed by the public sector, health and social services, and information sectors.
Hospitality was the only sector to report an improvement in hiring expectations compared to the previous quarter.
