Job seekers can expect a soft labor market in the third quarter of 2019, according to Czech employers who report a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of +3%. Hiring intentions remain relatively stable in comparison with both 2Q 2019 and 3Q 2018, according to ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey for the third quarter of 2019.

“Czech unemployment rate remains the lowest in Europe and GDP growth is one of highest. According to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey the positive pace of hiring will also continue in the 3rd quarter, which is usually the strongest season for the labor market. We observe structural shifts in demand for new employees in the Czech economy. Since last quarter, there is a decrease in hiring intentions in manufacturing and logistics and an increase in services. In addition, 35% of large companies plan to increase the number of staff and in-demand profiles are now emphasizing specialized skills in IT, engineering and skill trades. On the other hand, there is an oversupply in middle-level positions in back office positions,” said Jaroslava Rezlerová, Managing Director of ManpowerGroup Czech Republic.

Source: ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook for Q3 2019

Industry sector comparisons
Employers anticipate workforce gains in eight of 10 industry sectors and two of three regions during the coming quarter. Outlooks strengthen in five sectors and two regions both quarterover-quarter and year-over-year. When the Czech Republic’s 10 industry sectors are compared, Transport, Storage & Communications sector employers report the strongest hiring plans. The sector’s Net Employment Outlook of +19% is the strongest since the survey began 11 years ago, improving by 7 and 21 percentage points from 2Q 2019 and 3Q 2018, respectively. The weakest sector Outlooks of 0% are reported in two sectors. Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry & Fishing sector employers report a quarter-over-quarter decline of
5 percentage points, but the Outlook remains relatively stable when compared with the same period last year. The Public & Social sector Outlook decreases by 3 and 4 percentage points from 2Q 2019 and 3Q 2018, respectively.

Regional comparisons
Employers report the strongest regional hiring sentiment in Prague, where the Outlook of +6% improves by 2 percentage points when compared with the previous quarter and is 4 percentage points stronger year-over-year. The weakest regional forecast is reported in Moravia, where employers expect to trim payrolls (-3%). The Outlook is the weakest reported in six years, declining by 9 and 13 percentage points from 2Q 2019 and 3Q 2018, respectively.

>> Read full press release and the Employment Outlook for Q3 2019.

>> Other country reports.

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This survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforce during the next quarter. The Czech Republic is one of 44 countries and territories participating in the quarterly measurement of employer hiring intentions. The survey for Quarter 3 2019 was conducted by interviewing a representative sample of 750 employers in the Czech Republic and asking the same question: “How do you anticipate total employment at your location to change in the three months to the end of September 2019 as compared to the current quarter?”