2. Contents
Republic of Ireland Employment Outlook
Regional Comparisons 3
Sector Comparisons 5
Global Employment Outlook 9
International Comparisons - Americas 10
International Comparisons - Asia Pacific 11
International Comparisons - Europe 12
About the Survey 14
About Manpower 15
Please note that throughout this report, the figure used in all graphs is the “Net Employment Outlook”.
This figure is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and
subtracting from this the percentage of employers that expect to see a decrease in employment at their
location in the next quarter.
2
3. Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Ireland
Republic of Ireland
The Question
How do you anticipate total employment at your location quarter is recorded at the overall national level, the Net
to change in the three months to the end of March 2005 Employment Outlook is up 12 percentage points
compared to the corresponding period of 2004.
Table 1: Q1 Results for last 5 Quarters
% Increase % Decrease % no change % Don’t know Net employment outlook
Q1 2005 19 4 74 3 +15
Q4 2004 18 4 76 2 +14
Q3 2004 23 5 72 0 +18
Q2 2004 16 7 77 0 +9
Q1 2004 14 11 75 0 +3
as compared to the current quarter? Of the Irish Chart 1: Q1 Results for last 5 Quarters
employers interviewed, 19% said they expect to hire 40
more people during the first quarter of 2005. Only 4% 30
expect to reduce their workforce, and 74% anticipate no 20
change. The Net Employment Outlook therefore remains 10
at an upbeat +15%.Whilst no meaningful quarter-on-
0
-10
-20
2003 2004 2005
Regional Comparisons
Positive hiring intentions are found in all of the Irish As is shown in the following section, whilst quarter
regions. Employers in Munster and Connaught have the on quarter Net Employment Outlook increases are
most optimistic expectations, with those in Ulster and observed in only two regions [Dublin and Leinster],
Dublin holding more cautious views. year on year increases are recorded in every region.
Chart 2: Net Employment Outlook by Region
Connaught + 24
Dublin +7
Leinster +15
Munster +28
National average +16
Ulster +8
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
3
4. Connaught Dublin
The greatest quarter-on-quarter increase is recorded in The trend of increasing optimism observed throughout
Connaught where the Net Employment Outlook is up 2004 ends with the Net Employment Outlook for Dublin
25 percentage points to a healthy +24%. halving since the previous quarter to a level similar to
that recorded at the corresponding period of 2004.
Chart 3: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Connaught Chart 4: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Dublin
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
Leinster Munster
Despite a percentage point quarter-on-quarter The greatest year-on-year regional increase is observed
decrease, employers in Leinster expect a positive start in Munster. With the Net Employment Outlook up 27
to 2005, the Net Employment Outlook up 16 percentage points year-on-year and 13 percentage
percentage points year-on-year to +15%. points quarter-on-quarter, employers here are
expecting active levels of first quarter hiring activity.
Chart 5: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Leinster Chart 6: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Munster
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
4
5. Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Ireland
Ulster
No meaningful quarter-on-quarter or year-on-year
change is found in Ulster where employers have
cautiously optimistic first quarter hiring intentions.
Chart 7: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Ulster
40
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
2003 2004 2005
Sector Comparisons
Employers across all but one sector of the labor market Employers in the Wholesale and Retail Trade [+24%]
have positive hiring intentions for the first quarter of and Electricity, Gas and Water [+21%] anticipate the
2005. As was the case last quarter, the single greatest optimism regarding the forthcoming quarter.
exception is the Restaurants and Hotels [-8%] sector.
Chart 8: Net Employment Outlook by Sector
Agriculture, etc. 15
Community, etc. 7
Construction 19
Electricity, etc. 21
Finance, etc. 13
Manufacturing 3
Mining & Quarrying 1
Pharmaceutical 2
Restaurant & Hotels -8
Transport, etc. 6
Wholesale & Retail 24
National average 9
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
5
6. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Community, Social and Personal
Despite a 6-percentage point quarter-on-quarter The greatest quarter-on-quarter decrease is observed
decrease in Net Employment Outlook, employers in the in the Community, Social and Personal sector where
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector have upbeat the Net Employment Outlook is down 28 percentage
expectations regarding the first quarter of 2005. points. Is is noticeable however that employers in this
sector are considerably more positive than at the
corresponding period of 2004 when the Net
Employment Outlook stood 17 percentage points
ower at -10%.
Chart 9: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Chart 10: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook -
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Community, Social and Personal
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
-40 -40
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
Construction Electricity, Gas and Water
Unlike 12 months previously, employers in the The greatest quarter-on-quarter increase in Net
Construction sector anticipate positive first quarter Employment Outlook is recorded in the Electricity, Gas
hiring activity, the Net Employment Outlook standing at and Water sector where employers anticipate active
an upbeat +19% first quarter hiring activity.
Chart 11: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Chart 12: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook -
Construction Electricity, Gas and Water
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
-40 -40
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
6
7. Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Ireland
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate Manufacturing
and Business Services
The greatest year-on-year increase in Net Employment
Whilst employers in the Finance, Insurance, Real Estate Outlook is observed in the Manufacturing sector. That
and Business Services sector are upbeat regarding said, employers here expect a quiet start to 2005 with
their first quarter hiring intentions, a notable year-on- the Net Employment Outlook largely unchanged since
year downturn is observed, with the Net Employment the last quarter at +3%.
Outlook down 7 percentage points on the
corresponding period of 2004.
Chart 13: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Chart 14: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook -
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Business Services Manufacturing
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
-40 -40
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
Mining and Quarrying Pharmaceutical
Employers in the Mining and Quarrying sector Within the Pharmaceutical sector, employers expect a
anticipate a stagnant start to 2005 with the Net slow-paced first quarter with the Net Employment
Employment Outlook down 15 percentage points Outlook down 17 percentage points to +2%. This
quarter-on-quarter and 12 percentage points year-on- does reflect an improvement since the corresponding
year to +1%. period of 2004 when the Net Employment Outlook
stood 7 percentage points lower at -5%.
Chart 15: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Chart 16: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook -
Mining and Quarrying Pharmaceutical
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
-40 -40
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
7
8. Restaurants & Hotels Transport, Storage and
Communication
Whilst employers in the Restaurants & Hotels sector
have pessimistic expectations regarding first quarter Only modest levels of hiring activity are expected by
hiring activity, a notable year-on-year Net Employment employers in the Transport, Storage and
Outlook improvement of 16 percentage points is Communication sector where the Net Employment
observed. Outlook stands at +6%.
Chart 17: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook - Chart 18: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook -
Restaurants and Hotels Transport, Storage and Communication
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
-40 -40
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
Wholesale and Retail Trade
Solid first quarter hiring activity is expected by
employers in the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector
where the Net Employment Outlook for the current
quarter [+24%] is higher than at any previous time
since the establishment of the survey in Ireland.
Chart 19: Quarterly Net Employment Outlook -
Wholesale and Retail
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
2003 2004 2005
8
9. Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Europe
Global Employment Outlook
Over 35,000 employers have been interviewed across 19 countries and territories to measure anticipated
employment trends between January and March 2005.
Regional & International Comparisons
Employers in 17 of 19 countries and territories say they since the first quarter of 2004, whilst employer
expect positive hiring activity in the coming quarter, with confidence in Italy has decreased slightly over the same
12 countries reporting stronger hiring levels compared period of time.
to one year ago. New Zealand and Hong Kong In the U.S., Canada and the UK, seasonally adjusted
employers once again reported the strongest results reveal continuing employer optimism and solid
anticipated hiring trends for the quarter ahead. hiring levels with all three countries recording year-over-
Although employers in both Italy and Germany are year improvements. Notably, Canadian and American
reporting negative Net Employment Outlooks for this employers reported the strongest first-quarter outlooks
quarter, German employer confidence has improved in four years.
REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS
Net Employment Outlook Qtr on Qtr Change
AMERICAS Q4 2004 Q1 2005 Q4 2004 to Q1 2005
% %
1 1
Canada 13(17) 4(18) -9(+1)1
Mexico 18 12 -6
1 1
United States 21(20) 14(21) -7(+1)1
Net Employment Outlook Qtr on Qtr Change
ASIA PACIFIC Q4 2004 Q1 2005 Q4 2004 to Q1 2005
% %
Australia 17 17 0
Hong Kong 25 26 1
Japan 11 13 2
New Zealand 29 30 1
Sinapore 14 8 -6
Net Employment Outlook Qtr on Qtr Change
EUROPE Q4 2004 Q1 2005 Q4 2004 to Q1 2005
% %
Austria 4 1 -3
Belgium 7 5 -2
France 5 2 -3
Germany -2 -6 -4
Ireland 14 15 1
Italy -1 -1 0
Netherlands 6 3 -3
Norway 7 12 5
Spain 5 5 0
Sweden 9 5 -4
1 1 1
UK 18(14) 14(18) -4(+4)
1. Number in parentheses is Net Employment Outlook when adjusted to remove the impact of seasonal variations in hiring activity for Canada, the UK
and the United States.
9
10. Americas
Over 21,000 interviews have been conducted across Based on the seasonally adjusted data, employers in
the United States, Canada and Mexico to measure the United States posted the region’s strongest Net
anticipated employment trends between January and Employment Outlook. U.S. and Canadian employers
March 2005. The overall regional outlook is positive reported their strongest first-quarter outlooks in four
with employers in all three countries forecasting year- years. Mexican employers expect to hire less in the first
over-year improvements. quarter than they did at the close of 2004. However,
the hiring outlook is comparable to levels reported at
this time last year.
Canada Mexico
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
Line shows seasonally adjusted data.
USA
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
2003 2004 2005
Line shows seasonally adjusted data.
10
11. Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Europe
Asia Pacific
Over 6,000 interviews have been conducted across Kong, it is noticeable that Hong Kong’s Net
Asia Pacific to measure anticipated employment trends Employment Outlook has increased at every quarter
between January and March 2005. since the establishment of the survey. Singapore
employers reported weaker hiring activity compared to
Continued positive hiring activity is expected in all of the the previous quarter. Employers in Japan revealed a
countries surveyed in Asia Pacific, with employers in considerable Net Employment Outlook improvement
New Zealand reporting the most positive outlook. year-over-year. Employers in both Australia and
Employers in Hong Kong also revealed optimistic hiring Singapore reveal no meaningful year-over-year changes
intentions for the first three months of the year with in anticipated hiring patterns.
their strongest outlook in seven quarters. In Hong
Australia Hong Kong
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
Japan New Zealand
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
This country joined the survey in Q2 2004.
Singapore
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
2003 2004 2005
No bar indicates Net Employment Outlook of zero.
11
12. Europe
Over 10,000 interviews have been conducted across most buoyant hiring intentions in Europe with Ireland
11 European nations to measure anticipated reporting a considerable year-over-year improvement.
employment trends between January and March 2005. Employers in Norway are very upbeat about first-
The overall regional Net Employment Outlook for quarter hiring intentions, reporting the highest level ever
Europe is positive with only employers in Italy and recorded for the country. Employers in Germany,
Germany continuing to reveal negative hiring intentions although forecasting a negative outlook for the quarter
for the quarter ahead. However, 6 of the 11 countries ahead, are less pessimistic than they were in the first
anticipate decreases in year-over-year outlooks. quarter of 2004. Notably, in the next three months
French employers are anticipating the weakest hiring
Employers in Ireland and the UK continue to report the levels since the survey began in this country.
Austria Belgium
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
No bar indicates Net Employment Outlook of zero.
France Germany
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
12
14. About the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted clearer picture of the data over time. Manpower intends to add
quarterly to measure employers’ intentions to increase or seasonal adjustments to the data for other countries in the future,
decrease the number of employees in their workforce during the as more historical data is compiled.
next quarter. The survey has been running for more than 40 years
and is one of the most trusted surveys of employment activity in Sectors
the world. Various factors underpin the success of the Manpower The industry sectors that are reported for each country in this
Employment Outlook Survey: report are representative of the local economy. In some areas of
Unique: It is unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area of the report, we have reported the data in two broad sector
focus. categories: Industry and Services. These categories are consistent
Projective: The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the only with standards of other respected international data sources. The
forward-looking survey, asking employers to forecast employment “Industry” category includes sectors such as: construction,
over the next quarter. In contrast, other surveys and studies focus manufacturing, mining and public utilities. The “Services” category
on retrospective data to report on what occurred in the past. includes wholesale and retail trade; restaurants and hotels;
Focused: For more than four decades, the survey has derived all transportation and storage; communication; finance; insurance;
of its information from a single question. real estate; other business services and public administration.
Independent: The survey is conducted with a representative
sample of employers from throughout the countries in which it is
conducted. The survey participants are not derived from History of the Survey
Manpower’s customer base. 1962 1st generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook
Robust: The survey is based on interviews with more than 35,000 Survey launched in the United States and Canada.
public and private employers across 19 countries and territories to 1966 Manpower’s UK operation launches the equivalent of the
measure anticipated employment trends each quarter. This United States survey, naming the report the Quarterly
sample allows for analysis to be performed across specific sectors Survey of Employment Prospects. The survey adopts the
and regions to provide more detailed information. same forward looking research format as the United
States survey and is the first of its kind in Europe.
Methodology 1976 2nd generation of Manpower’s Employment Outlook
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted using a Survey launched in the United States and Canada.
validated methodology, in accordance with the highest standards Research methodology is updated to evolve with
in market research. The research team for the 19 countries and advancements in the field of market research.
territories where the survey is currently conducted includes 2002 Manpower UK’s Quarterly Survey of Employment
Manpower’s Market Intelligence team; the Organization Research Prospects is updated to adopt an enhanced research
and Analysis Division of Right Management Consultants - an methodology. Manpower’s operations in Mexico and
independent operating division of Manpower Inc.; NOP World and Ireland launch the survey in their respective countries.
Grupo IDM. The survey has been structured to be representative 2003 3rd generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook
of each national economy. The margin of error for all national, Survey is launched, expanding the program to a total 18
regional and global data is not greater than +/-4.2%. countries worldwide: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada,
France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
In Ireland, the national survey is conducted by Right Management Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden,
Consultants and includes 562 employers. With this number of United Kingdom and United States.
interviews, the margin of error for the Ireland Survey is +/-4%. 2004 Manpower operations in New Zealand launch the
Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
Net Employment Outlook
Throughout this report, we use the term “Net Employment
Outlook”. This figure is derived by taking the percentage of
employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and
subtracting from this the percentage of employers that expect to
see a decrease in employment at their location in the next quarter.
The result of this calculation is the Net Employment Outlook.
Seasonal Adjustment
Seasonal adjustments have been applied to the data for Canada,
the United States and United Kingdom to provide additional
insight into the survey data. These adjustments make it possible
to review the data without the employment fluctuations that
normally occur at the same time each year, thus providing a
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15. Manpower Employment Outlook Survey
About Manpower Inc About Manpower Ireland
Manpower Inc. (NYSE:MAN) is a world leader in the employment Manpower is Ireland’s leading provider of workforce management
services industry, offering customers a continuum of services to solutions specializing in permanent and temporary recruitment,
meet their needs throughout the employment and business cycle. HR services, managed services, outsourcing and HR consultancy.
The company specializes in permanent, temporary and contract Manpower Ireland’s network of offices allows the company to
recruitment; employee assessment; training; career transition and meet the needs of local and national customers. This includes
organizational consulting services. Manpower’s world wide numerous small and medium sized enterprises, as well as larger
network of 4,300 offices in 67 countries and territories enables the organisations.
company to meet the needs of its 400, 000 customers per year,
including small and medium size enterprises in all industry The focus of Manpower’s work is on raising productivity through
sectors, as well as the world’s largest multinational corporations. improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction, enabling
The focus of Manpower’s work is on raising productivity through customers to concentrate on their core business.
improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction, enabling
customers to concentrate on their core business activities. In Manpower has a highly skilled workforce of over 2000 temporary
addition to the Manpower branch, the company operates under employees who stay loyal to the company (and it customers)
the brand names of Right Management Consultants, Jefferson thanks to best in class employment benefits. These include a
Wells, Elan, Brook Street and Right Management Consultants. contract of employment and a free e-learning toll offering staff
More information on Manpower Inc. is available at over 1,000 courses in a diverse range of subjects, keeping
www.manpower.com. Manpower’s workforce up to date with today’s ever-changing
working environment.
2004, Manpower Inc. All rights reserved
15
