Q4 Poll: Strongest Hiring Outlook in Finance/Real Estate - Taiwan Focus

In the coming fourth quarter of this year, Taiwan's financial/insurance/real estate sector is expected to have the strongest hiring outlook among major business sectors. This prediction was made based on a recent survey conducted by ManpowerGroup, a global human resources advisory firm. 
 
The net hiring index for Taiwan from October to December this year, after accounting for seasonal adjustments, stands at 16 percent. This figure represents a decrease compared to both the last quarter (18 percent) and the same period in the previous year (23 percent). 
 
This data comes from ManpowerGroup's Employment Outlook Survey, which measures employers' confidence in their future hiring plans. The net employment index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers who expect their workforce size to shrink from those expecting an increase. 
 
Out of 630 Taiwanese companies surveyed, nearly two-fifths (39%) anticipate increasing their staff numbers in Q4, while only 21% predict a decline and another 36% foresee no change. 
 
After considering these figures and adjusting for seasonality effects, ManpowerGroup arrived at an overall net employment outlook index of 18% before adjustment and 16% afterwards. 
 
Among nine business sectors included in the study, it was found that finance/insurance/real estate had the most optimistic hiring prospects, with its net employment outlook hitting a high score of thirty-two percent—significantly up from eight percent in Q3. 
 
According to Lai Yi-wen, executive partner with ManpowerGroup Taiwan, one reason behind this surge is that many retirements occur during this peak season coupled with high turnover amongst younger employees. Furthermore, there are growing demands within these industries for professionals specializing in areas such as fintech, 
wealth management or cybersecurity, etcetera. 
 
Following closely behind finance were energy/utilities, whose projected Q4 scores rose dramatically from negative sixty-four percent last quarter to positive thirty now, largely due 
to state-owned entities facing shortages requiring them to rebuild talent pools urgently. 
 
Meanwhile, the IT sector was third highest with a 25% net hiring outlook index for Q4, up from 18% in Q3. This increase is attributed to the current boom in AI development, which has driven demand for AI servers and PCs. Consequently, leading contract electronics manufacturers have announced about 1,000 job openings. 
 
However, not all industries are expected to fare as well. The healthcare and life science sectors' net employment outlook dropped steeply from forty-three percent last quarter down to just two now, indicating many hospitals' recent efforts to retain staff by raising compensation amidst an ongoing shortage. 
 
In comparison with other Asia Pacific economies surveyed by ManpowerGroup, India topped the list at 37 percent, followed by Singapore (29%), China (27%), and Taiwan itself (16%). Hong Kong had the lowest score at eight percent only. 
 
Out of forty-two global economies included in this study—excepting two who expect decreases—all others anticipate increased hiring during the forthcoming fourth quarter, according to ManpowerGroup's findings.