AI isn't the reason you got laid off (or not hired), top staffing agency says. You don't have the right skills | Fortune

"Since 1962, ManPower claims its Employment Outlook Survey is the most extensive forward-looking survey of its kind, unparalleled in size, scope and longevity, and one of the most trusted indicators of labor market trends in the world. Looking ahead to the turn of the year, the survey says employers around the globe still plan to hire, but at a slower pace and with fewer additions to headcount than earlier in the pandemic recovery."

"Globally, 40% of organizations expect to increase staffing in the first quarter and another 40% plan to keep headcount unchanged, yet the typical company now anticipates adding only eight workers, down steadily from mid‑2025 levels. Large enterprises with 5,000 or more employees have cut their planned hiring roughly in half since the second quarter of 2025, underscoring just how much large employers are tightening belts even as they keep recruiting in priority areas."

"Regional patterns are uneven. North America's employment outlook has dropped sharply year-on-year to one of its weakest readings in nearly five years, while South and Central America and the Asia Pacific-Middle East region report comparatively stronger optimism. Europe's outlook is muted, with only a small decline from last year, suggesting that many employers there are in wait‑and‑see mode rather than embarking on aggressive expansion or deep cuts."

Weak demand, economic headwinds and skills mismatches are causing most current job losses rather than AI. Automation and AI are reshaping job descriptions and long-term hiring plans, but workers without the right mix of technical and human skills face greater exposure. Employers globally still plan to hire, yet hiring pace has slowed and typical companies now expect to add only eight workers. Large enterprises cut planned hiring roughly in half since mid‑2025. Regional outlooks vary: North America has weakened sharply, South and Central America and the Asia Pacific‑Middle East show stronger optimism, and Europe's outlook is muted.

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