- Global white-collar vacancies up +16% year-on-year (Oct 25 vs Oct 24), with the USA and India leading growth
- Global hiring increased +16% in October compared to September, with Technology, Media & Telecoms (TMT) up +28% month-on-month
- Canada (+4%) sees steady month-on-month growth compared to September
- Germany (-15%), France (-2%), and Mexico (-15%) record year-on-year declines in October 2025 versus October 2024.
Global professional job vacancies across the world’s largest employers increased in October 2025, with total job posting up +16% compared to October 2024. Activity also accelerated month-on-month (+16%) versus September 2025, indicating that businesses are entering the final quarter with renewed hiring intent.
Toby Fowlston, CEO at Robert Walters, comments, “October’s data suggests that hiring sentiment is stabilising across the world’s largest organisations. While overall growth has returned, the pace remains controlled, with employers continuing to prioritise strategic and transformation-led roles. Activity in technology and financial services remains a key driver, but broader hiring decisions are still being made with a degree of caution.”
The findings come from the Robert Walters Global Jobs Index, produced in partnership with VacancySoft, the only index to track white-collar job flow for the world’s largest companies in real time.
India leads global growth year-on-year
India recorded the strongest annual increase in professional vacancies, up +29% compared to October 2024, driven by hiring across TMT and Financial Services. The USA saw vacancies up +22% year-on-year, supported by a +6% increase in Financial Services roles.
Toby comments, “The growth seen in India reinforces its position as a critical market for multinational firms building scalable capability, especially across the tech sector.
“In the USA, the year-on-year increase in job vacancies suggests that employer confidence is gradually strengthening after last year’s pre-election slowdown.”
In contrast, Germany (-15%), France (-2%), and Mexico (-15%) saw annual declines, underlining an uneven recovery across regions.
“Parts of Europe continue to take a more measured approach, balancing caution with selective investment. The ongoing political uncertainty in France continues to impact hiring sentiment with many businesses holding off on non-strategic recruitment until stability returns. In Germany, cost management and automation continue to shape a more selective approach to recruitment.” adds Toby.
Technology powers growth, financial services shows resilience
Across major economies, vacancies rose +16% in October 2025 compared to September 2025. The TMT sector continues to power hiring across the world’s largest employers, up +28% month-on-month compared to September and remaining the key driver of activity across all major markets.
Financial Services maintained solid growth up +7% month-on-month, supported by ongoing demand for roles in risk, compliance, and digital banking.
Toby says, “After the summer slowdown, October represented a measured return to activity. Technology is proving to be the growth engine for global hiring in 2025, with ongoing investment in areas such as AI integration, cloud transformation and cybersecurity. At the same time, Financial Services continues to expand its digital footprint, particularly in analytics and regulatory operations, driving consistent demand for specialist talent.”
A steady close to 2025 with selective growth expected into 2026
The data indicates that global hiring across the world’s largest employers remains steady, with still characterised by disciplined decision-making.
Toby concludes, “Employers are hiring with intent and we’re seeing clear investment across transformation and technology. These are the kind of roles that drive long-term business value. As we approach 2026, we expect the balance between confidence and caution to remain.”
