According to the new ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey for the third quarter of 2026, in which 520 employers in Greece participated, hiring intentions appear subdued for the coming quarter, with the Net Employment Outlook (NEO*) standing at 7 points. The outlook shows a decline of 12 points on a quarterly basis and 5 points on an annual basis. Globally, Greece ranks ninth from the bottom, 19 points below the global average.
According to survey data on how workforce levels are expected to change in the coming quarter, 50% of employers stated that they plan to maintain their current workforce levels. Meanwhile, 28% of employers reported that they intend to increase their workforce between July and September. In contrast, 19% stated that they expect reductions, while 3% of employers were uncertain about whether there would be changes in their staffing levels in the coming months.
Employment Outlook by Sector
Finance and Insurance is the most competitive sector in Greece for the third quarter of 2026, with an employment outlook index of 32 points. The sector recorded a 15-point decrease compared to the previous quarter but increased by 25 points compared to the same quarter last year.
This quarter marks the highest outlook in the past two years for the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, a level last recorded in the third quarter of 2024 at 36 points.
However, the Public Sector, Health, and Social Services sector also reports the lowest employment outlook index in the past three years, returning to the levels of the second quarter of 2023, when it also stood at -2 points.
As part of the survey, Greek employers who expect to increase their workforce in the coming quarter were asked to cite the main reasons behind this intention. The most significant factors for the third quarter are:
- Business growth and the creation of new jobs: 37%
- Filling positions vacated by recent employee departures: 26%
- Specific projects or temporary initiatives requiring specialized personnel: 24%
Compared to the previous quarter, business growth remains the primary reason for workforce expansion, albeit at a lower rate, from 41% to 37%. Similarly, employers who expect a reduction in their workforce attribute this decision primarily to the following factors:
- Economic challenges negatively impacting staffing: 34%
- Staff departures without the possibility of immediate replacement: 31%
- Restructuring or downsizing of the workforce: 22%
Regional Employment Outlook
The most dynamic region in our country is the Rest of Greece (excluding Attica and Northern Greece), with an employment outlook index of 13 points. Although expectations in the region declined by 8 points compared to the previous quarter, they improved by 4 points on an annual basis. At the same time, this quarter marks the lowest performance in Northern Greece (2) in the last 3 years, a level last seen in the fourth quarter of 2022 (-4).
By Company Size
Greek employers in large companies (5,000+ employees) are the most optimistic, with an employment outlook index of 21 points, although it decreased by 6 points compared to the previous quarter and remained unchanged from the same period last year. At the same time, this quarter marks the lowest performance among small businesses (10–49 employees) in the last four years, a level last seen in the second quarter of 2022 (-10).
Mr. Charalambos Kazantzidis, Managing Director of ManpowerGroup Greece, states: “The results of the Employment Outlook Survey for the third quarter of 2026 reflect a subdued labor market. In Greece, the decline in hiring intentions compared to the previous quarter reflects an environment where employers are reassessing their priorities, due to the slowdown in growth momentum and the reduction in European funding that supported a significant portion of recent investments. At the same time, the international situation is heightening uncertainty, with geopolitical tensions, pressures on international trade, and rising energy costs affecting business confidence.
Despite these conditions, it appears that the labor market in Greece is showing signs of stability, with demand for specialized skills, particularly in sectors such as technology, while at the same time there is an increased need for workers in lower-skilled positions, reflecting the immediate operational requirements of many industries. “At ManpowerGroup Greece, we support organizations in this complex environment by offering comprehensive human capital solutions that enable them to adapt more quickly, fill critical skill gaps, and strengthen their long-term resilience,”.
Global Employment Outlook
The global Employment Outlook Index (NEO) for the third quarter of 2026 fell to 26 points, down 5 points from the previous quarter but up 2 points year-over-year. Employment prospects weakened in 33 of the 42 countries compared to the previous quarter. A total of 40,592 employers participated in the survey.
Global employment prospects are slowing as the IMF has revised its growth forecasts downward, describing the global economy as moving “in the shadow of war.” The conflict in Iran has disrupted maritime trade flows, intensifying pressures and leading to a significant rise in energy prices. In this environment, hiring momentum is showing signs of slowing, particularly in markets dependent on international trade, as tariffs and geopolitical tensions negatively impact employer confidence. Nevertheless, the resilience of economies such as the U.S., combined with continued strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, is helping to keep global employment prospects at higher levels compared to last year.
Strongest Sectors
- Technology, Media, and Telecommunications: 32%
- Construction & Real Estate: 31%
- Finance & Insurance: 29%
The weakest sector
- Tourism, Hotels & Hospitality: 14%
Strongest Outlook by Region/Country
- Asia-Pacific: India 48%, China 33%
- The Americas: Puerto Rico 48%, the U.S. 45%, and Brazil 37%
- Europe & Middle East: United Kingdom 37%, Sweden 34%, Israel 26%