Mixed hiring results expected for upcoming quarter in PR
By THE STAR STAFF
Puerto Rico’s employers expect a net hiring outlook of 34% for the October-December quarter, a result that reflects both a significant year-over-year increase and a notable slowdown compared with the previous quarter, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
The figure represents a 19-point rise compared with the same period last year and a 12-point decline from the prior quarter, a dynamic ManpowerGroup describes as a “mixed” but stable indicator of the island’s labor market.
The survey, conducted with more than 500 employers across Puerto Rico, is part of ManpowerGroup’s global study, which has been carried out since 1962 and is considered one of the world’s most comprehensive forward-looking employment indicators. As the report explains, the net employment outlook is calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers who expect to reduce staff from those who plan to increase it.
Melissa Rivera Roena, general manager of ManpowerGroup Puerto Rico, said Tuesday that the island now ranks 13th among 42 countries measured, a drop of 12 positions from the previous quarter. However, when viewed across a longer global timeline, Puerto Rico remains one of the strongest hiring markets in the world, holding the second-highest long-term hiring intention at 19%, surpassed only by Panama. Rivera Roena said the combination of quarterly decline and annual growth underscores a labor market that continues to perform consistently despite global uncertainty.
“The data point to a very stable hiring market in Puerto Rico that keeps us among the global leaders,” she said.
Survey results show that nearly half of employers plan to expand their workforce before the end of the year. According to the report, 48% expect to increase staff, 39% foresee no changes, 11% plan reductions and 2% remain undecided.
Hiring expectations vary significantly by region. The metropolitan area leads with 43%, followed closely by the central region at 42% and the eastern region at 32%. The lowest expectations were reported in the north, at 28%, and the south, at 23%.
Company size also plays a decisive role in hiring plans. Organizations with 10 to 49 employees show the strongest outlook at 55%, marking the highest growth compared with the previous quarter. Larger employers also expect to hire, including companies with 250 to 999 workers at 46% and those with 1,000 to 4,999 employees at 40%. Microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees report the weakest hiring intention at 17%.
All major industry sectors measured in the survey reported increases. Commerce and logistics lead with 53%, followed by manufacturing and information, both at 44%. Other sectors showing positive expectations include natural resources, construction and real estate, finance and insurance, professional and technical services, hospitality and the public sector, health and social services.
Entry-level hiring is also rising across multiple industries. Employers report that hiring for entry-level roles is increasing compared with 2025, with 57% expecting to add new entry-level positions.
Employers also identified factors that are accelerating or slowing the pace of hiring. Faster collaboration between human resources and hiring managers, quicker internal approval processes, greater flexibility such as remote or hybrid work options, improved use of recruitment technology and better candidate segmentation are helping organizations fill vacancies more quickly. At the same time, employers cite a shortage of qualified candidates, fewer referrals, complex recruitment processes and hiring freezes as obstacles.
The survey was conducted July 1-31 using a representative sample of employers who are not ManpowerGroup clients, in keeping with the company’s ethical standards.
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