--- title: The Employment Outlook Survey for Q1 2024 Explained description: The Q1 2024 Employment Outlook Survey reveals positive hiring intentions with 47% of employers planning to hire in the first quarter. The Information Technology sector shows the strongest hiring expectations, while 70% of US employers face difficulties finding skilled talent. Gain valuable insights for your organization's smart decision-making. image: https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hubfs/Q1-2024-WebBanner-1920x550-1%20(1).jpg --- [![ManpowerGroup Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ManpowerGroup%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background.png?width=150&height=27&name=ManpowerGroup%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background.png "ManpowerGroup Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background")](https://manpowergroup.com) [![Manpower Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background-2](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Manpower%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background-2.png?width=150&height=28&name=Manpower%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Background-2.png "Manpower Web Horizontal Logo for Light Background-2")](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/manpower) [![Experis Logo Horizontal Transparent](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Experis%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Transparent.png?width=100&height=37&name=Experis%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Transparent.png "Experis Logo Horizontal Transparent")](https://www.experis.com) [![ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions Reduced Size Web Horizontal Logo for Black Background](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ManpowerGroup%20Talent%20Solutions%20Reduced%20Size%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Black%20Background.png?width=150&height=31&name=ManpowerGroup%20Talent%20Solutions%20Reduced%20Size%20Web%20Horizontal%20Logo%20for%20Black%20Background.png "ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions Reduced Size Web Horizontal Logo for Black Background")](https://talentsolutions.manpowergroup.com) [![JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4.png?width=150&height=30&name=JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4.png "JF_BE_Logo_SS_HOR_MC_RGB_REG-4")](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/jefferson-wells) Insights # The Employment Outlook Survey for Q1 2024 Explained - December 12, 2023 - | - [ManpowerGroup](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpowergroup), - [MEOS](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/meos), - [Data](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/data) - | - 3 min read ![Becky Frankiewicz](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hubfs/1607264331740.jfif) [ Becky Frankiewicz ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/author/becky-frankiewicz) SHARE | - - - Home 1. [ManpowerGroup Insights](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights) 2. The Employment Outlook Survey for Q1 2024 Explained As the year draws to a close and we look forward to 2024, we’re pleased to report that the employment outlook for Q1 is positive. Based on our quarterly [**ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey**](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/meos?utm_source=website&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mpg_us_b2b_q1_2024_meos), 47 percent of employers report the intention to hire in the January-March time period.  Our quarterly [Employment Outlook Survey](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/meos?utm_source=website&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mpg_us_b2b_q1_2024_meos) 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 +35%. That’s a** 6-point jump from Q1 2023, **and a modest** 1-point decrease from last quarter. **The NEO realizes the difference between the percentage of employers planning to increase staff in the quarter (47%) minus the percentage expected to decrease staff (12%).  For the ninth straight quarter, the strongest hiring expectations are in the **Information Technology **sector, where 55% of employers plan to add to staff. The sector with the second-highest hiring forecast is **Financials and Real Estate** with an NEO of +43%.   This map diagram reveals regional differences as compared to last quarter and last year.    ![MEOS_US-Blog-Image](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MEOS_US-Blog-Image.png?width=989&height=492&name=MEOS_US-Blog-Image.png) Globally, the Net Employment Outlook for the U.S. ties with Costa Rica for **2nd in the world**; two points under the leaders, India and The Netherlands, both reporting a +37% Outlook.  Additionally, this quarter’s report includes statistics regarding the difficulty of finding **skilled talent**. Overall, **70%** of U.S. employers reported having “some” or “a lot of” difficulty finding the talent they need. This percentage is unchanged from last quarter.  The full report breaks down the employment outlook and talent shortage by industry. Access the [Q1 2024 Employment Outlook Survey](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/meos?utm_source=website&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mpg_us_b2b_q1_2024_meos) to help you make the smartest decisions for your organization.     - [ManpowerGroup](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/manpowergroup), - [MEOS](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/meos), - [Data](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/tag/data) As the year draws to a close and we look forward to 2024, we’re pleased to report that the employment outlook for Q1 is positive. Based on our quarterly ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, 47 percent of employers report the intention to hire in the January-March 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 +35%. That’s a 6-point jump from Q1 2023, and a modest 1-point decrease from last quarter. The NEO realizes the difference between the percentage of employers planning to increase staff in the quarter (47%) minus the percentage expected to decrease staff (12%). For the ninth straight quarter, the strongest hiring expectations are in the Information Technology sector, where 55% of employers plan to add to staff. The sector with the second-highest hiring forecast is Financials and Real Estate with an NEO of +43%. This map diagram reveals regional differences as compared to last quarter and last year.   Globally, the Net Employment Outlook for the U.S. ties with Costa Rica for 2nd in the world; two points under the leaders, India and The Netherlands, both reporting a +37% Outlook. Additionally, this quarter’s report includes statistics regarding the difficulty of finding skilled talent. Overall, 70% of U.S. employers reported having “some” or “a lot of” difficulty finding the talent they need. This percentage is unchanged from last quarter. The full report breaks down the employment outlook and talent shortage by industry. Access the Q1 2024 Employment Outlook Survey to help you make the smartest decisions for your organization.    ** ** --- ###### PREVIOUS STORY [** AI: It's The New Power Tool Everyone is Talking About ](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights/the-new-power-tool) [**](https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/insights) ###### NEXT STORY [Will Baby Boomers Break the Workforce? 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