More than four in every ten Portuguese companies want to increase their teams next quarter, according to the "Employment Outlook Survey" study by human resources consultancy ManpowerGroup. Specifically, 44% of surveyed employers plan to hire between October and December, while 12% anticipate staff reductions and another 44% expect to maintain the number of workers unchanged. The projection for net employment creation is 32%, representing an increase of 14 points compared to the previous quarter and 19 points relative to the same period in 2025.
ManpowerGroup emphasizes that, after a slowdown between July and September, employers are expecting a recovery of the national labor market. The easing of global tensions, the need for companies to carry out technological transformation, and the resilience of economic growth in Portugal, with greater dynamism in exports and solid values in household consumption and investment, are reflected in greater employer optimism.
The country's manager of the consultancy, Rui Teixeira, stated that contradictory forces are impacting the labor market. On one hand, global geopolitical volatility adds new challenges to organizations, limiting job creation. On the other hand, the need to keep pace with the digital transition and the adoption of artificial intelligence is driving investments and increasing the need for specialized profiles. Employers continue to demonstrate confidence in the future, but are increasingly selective in their hiring decisions, strategically betting on the critical skills they need.
Regarding hiring reasons, company growth continues to be the main driving factor, mentioned by 42% of employers. Talent scarcity also maintains a significant impact, with 27% of employers indicating the need to fill open positions from the previous quarter and 18% referring to positions unfilled for longer. Regarding employers who expect to reduce their teams, the need for restructuring is cited by 25%, economic challenges by 23%, and automation by 25%.
