manpower employment outlook survey: united states - q4, 2006

8/9/2019 Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: United States - Q4, 2006

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Contents

United States Employment Outlook 1Regional ComparisonsSector Comparisons

Global Employment Outlook 13International Comparisons Americas

International Comparisons Asia Pacific

International Comparisons EMEA

About the Survey 20

About Manpower 21

Q4/0

6Manpower Employment Outlook Survey United States


3/24

Nearly 14,000 interviewshave been conducted withemployers across theUnited States to measureanticipated employmenttrends between Octoberand December 2006. All

participants were asked,How do you anticipatetotal employment at yourlocation to change in thethree months to the endof December 2006 ascompared to the current

quarter?

Among the U.S. employers surveyed, 28% foresee an

increase in hiring activity, and 8% expect a decline instaff levels during the fourth quarter of 2006. Fifty-eight

percent anticipate no change in the hiring pace, while

6% are undecided about their October December

hiring plans.

When seasonal variations are removed from the data,

the results suggest that employers plan to stay the

course when it comes to hiring. The fourth quarter Net

Employment Outlook for the United States is similar to

the projections reported for the last 10 quarters. Thus,

employer confidence about hiring is about the same asit was during the July to September period and one

year ago.

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.

United States Employment Outlook

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06

Net Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Increase Decrease No Change Dont KnowNet Employment

Outlook

Seasonally

Adjusted

% % % % % %

4thQuarter2005 29 8 57 6 21 20

1stQuarter2006 23 10 61 6 13 20

2ndQuarter2006 30 6 58 6 24 21

3rdQuarter2006 31 6 57 6 25 21

4th Quarter 2006 28 8 58 6 20 20

The results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey in the United States include Puerto Rico.

1


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Manpower Employment Outlook Survey United States

Hiring activity in seven of the 10 industry sectors

surveyed is expected to remain relatively consistent with

third quarter projections, according to seasonally

adjusted data. Those sectors include Construction,

Durable and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing,

Transportation/Public Utilities, Wholesale/Retail Trade,

Services and Public Administration.

Employment prospects are expected to improve in the

Mining sector, with employers regaining confidence

after a considerable dip in the third quarter. The hiring

pace is expected to edge down from three months ago,

albeit slightly in both the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate

and Education sectors.

The hiring outlook for the four U.S. regions is similar to

what employers reported in the third quarter and for the

final months of 2005 in the Midwest, South and West.

Employers in the Northeast are not as optimistic as they

were during the previous quarter and one year ago.

Those looking for work are likely to find the strongest

job prospects in the West. Employers in the Midwest

report the weakest hiring plans for the October to

December timeframe.

Compared to a year ago at this time, the majority of

employers report similar hiring expectations including

those in Durable and Non-Durable Goods

Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities,

Wholesale/Retail Trade, Finance/Insurance/Real Estate,

Services and Public Administration. Employers are

slightly less optimistic about year-end hiring in the

Mining, Construction and Education sectors.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally

AdjustedIncrease Decrease No Change Dont Know

% % % %%%

Construction 27 13 55 145 24

Education 25 7 63 18 135

Finance,Insurance & RealEstate 23 6 64 7 17 18

Manufacturing Durables 29 9 57 5 20 23

ManufacturingNon-Durables 26 9 61 4 1917

Mining 31 8 59 2 2323

PublicAdministration 19 11 64 8 156

Services 26 7 61 6 19 23

Transportation & PublicUtilities 27 6 60 7 21 19

Wholesale & RetailTrade 37 7 50 6 30 21

Attheoverallnationallevel,themarginoferroronthedatais +/0.8%.

Net Employment SeasonallyIncrease Decrease No Change Dont Know

Outlook Adjusted

% % % %

Midwest

Northeast28 9 58 5 19 1830 7 57 6 23 23

26 9 60 5 17 17

South

West 31 9 53 7 22 24

% %


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Regional ComparisonsMidwest +17 (17%)

Twenty-six percent of employers surveyed in the

Midwest expect to increase employment levels, and 9%anticipate a decrease in headcount, which leads to a

Net Employment Outlook of+17%. When seasonal

variations are removed from the data, the fourth quarter

employment forecast for the Midwest reveals continued

consistency. The hiring pace has remained relatively

unchanged since the second quarter of 2004. For the third

consecutive quarter, employers in the Midwest reported

the weakest hiring sentiment among the four regions.

Employers in half of the 10 industry sectors surveyed in

the Midwest predict more of the same steady hiring that

was expected in the third quarter. Those sectors

include Durable Goods Manufacturing, Wholesale/Retail

Trade, Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Services and

Public Administration. Non-Durable Goods

Manufacturers expect a slight uptick in the hiring pace.

A more noticeable gain is likely in the Construction and

Transportation/Public Utilities sectors, and Mining

employers foresee a much improved employment

picture for the fourth quarter. Education is the only

industry sector to report a less optimistic hiring forecast

for the coming quarter.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %

All Industries 26 9 60 5 17 17

Construction 21 17 58 4 4 19

Education 817 71 4 9 3


ManufacturingDurables 26 10 60 4 16 20

ManufacturingNon-Durables 26 7 63 4 19 20

Mining 0 0 100 0 60

PublicAdministration 14 16 66 4 -2 10

Services 22 8 64 6 14 18

Transportation & PublicUtilities 26 616 7 20 20


89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The Midwest Region comprises the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South

Dakota, Wisconsin.


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Northeast +19 (18%)

Among employers surveyed in the Northeast, 28%

foresee an increase in employment activity and 9%

expect a decline in payrolls for the final months of 2006.

The result is a Net Employment Outlook of+19%.Seasonally adjusted results suggest a slight decline in

the hiring pace compared with third quarter and one

year ago.

A quarter-over-quarter comparison of the Northeast

industry sectors reveals a range of hiring plans.

Wholesale/Retail Trade and Services employers are

slightly more positive about job prospects for the fourth

quarter. Durable Goods Manufacturers are holding

steady, with hiring plans identical to those issued

for the third quarter. Less hiring is expected by

employers in Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing and

Transportation/Public Utilities, while the jobs picture is

taking a turn for the worse in Construction, Education,

Mining, Finance/Insurance/Real Estate and Public

Administration.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %

All Industries 28 9 58 5 19 18Construction 20 16 60 4 4 10

Education 927 59 5 18 14




Mining 33 0 67 0 1933

PublicAdministration 11 12 70 7 -1 2

Services 26 8 62 4 18 22



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

2530

The Northeast Region comprises the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,

Rhode Island, Vermont.


7/245

South +23 (23%)

In the South, 30% of employers intend to increase the

hiring pace, while 7% expect to decrease staff levels,

which leads to a Net Employment Outlook of+23%.

Seasonally adjusted data indicates continued jobmarket stability, with employer confidence holding

steady for 11 consecutive quarters.

Compared with the third quarter, positive employment

patterns emerge in the Construction and Mining

sectors. Employers in Durable and Non-Durable Goods

Manufacturing, Transportation/Public Utilities, Services

and Public Administration foresee little change in the

hiring pace. Wholesale/Retail Trade, Education and

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate employers anticipate

a slower hiring pace for the fourth quarter.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %



Education 530 60 5 25 19




Mining 30 9 61 0 2221

PublicAdministration 23 7 64 6 16 19

Services 29 6 57 8 23 26



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The South Region comprises the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,

Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.


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West +22 (24%)

Thirty-one percent of employers surveyed in the West

plan to add staff, while 9% expect to reduce

employment levels. The result is a Net Employment

Outlook of+22%. When seasonal variations areremoved from the data, the West emerges as the

region with the strongest fourth quarter job prospects.

Hiring plans are similar to those reported for third

quarter and a year ago.

Employers in Transportation/Public Utilities,

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Mining and Education

are more confident about hiring plans for the October to

December period when compared with the third quarter.

Little change in hiring is in store for the Wholesale/Retail

Trade and Services sectors. Employers in Durable and

Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, Construction and

Public Administration revealed less optimistic staffing

plans for the coming quarter.

Net Employment

Outlook

Seasonally


%%%%% %



Education 631 57 6 25 22




Mining 36 7 50 7 3129

PublicAdministration 27 9 56 8 18 22

Services 29 9 56 6 20 24



89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

The West Region comprises the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,

Washington, Wyoming.


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Sector ComparisonsAccording to seasonally adjusted data, employers in

Construction, Durable Goods Manufacturing, Services,

Wholesale/Retail Trade and Mining express the most

promising hiring plans for the final three months of

2006. Solid job prospects are anticipated in the

Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Non-Durable Goods

Manufacturing and Transportation/Public Utilities

sectors. The job climate in Education and Public

Administration is once again more conservative than

in the other industry sectors.

Construction

Education

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

Manufacturing Durables

Manufacturing Non-Durables

Mining

Public Administration

Services

Transportation & Public Utilities

Wholesale & Retail Trade

17

24

18

13

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

2323

815

19

19

23

3021

2023

17

21

19

18

Net Employment Outlook Seasonally Adjusted Outlook

14


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Construction +14 (24)%

Although optimism among Construction employers has

gradually edged down during 2006, the hiring pace

remains quite strong when compared to historical survey

data, and it is the most promising of the 10 sectorsanalyzed for the fourth quarter. According to seasonally

adjusted data, the hiring pace is expected to continue

at the same rate as in the third quarter. Job prospects

are weaker than they were last year at this time.

During the October to December period, employers in

the South are most confident about staffing up, while

those in the Northeast are the most reserved about hiring.

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-10

25

-5

0

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


Education +18 (13)%

According to seasonally adjusted survey results, the

hiring pace in the Education sector is expected to wane

slightly during the final three months of the year, with

Education employers reporting the weakest hiring

intentions among the 10 industry sectors surveyed.

Hiring plans for the fourth quarter are more

conservative than those reported for the third quarter

and one year ago.

Among Education employers, hiring plans are most

promising in the West, while a considerably slower

hiring pace is expected in the Midwest.


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0

25

5

10

15

20

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-10

-5

0

5

1015

20

25

30

35

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


Finance, Insurance &Real Estate+17 (18)%

Seasonally adjusted survey results reveal that

confidence among Finance/Insurance/Real Estate

employers is taking a modest dip in the last quarter

of 2006. Employers are toning down hiring plans

compared with the third quarter, but are keeping them

similar to a year ago.

Job prospects are most promising in the West, while

a more lethargic pace is expected in the Northeast.

Manufacturing Durable Goods+20 (23)%

When seasonal variations are removed from the data,

Durable Goods Manufacturers report a 10th consecutivequarter of steady hiring. Employer confidence levels are

consistent with those reported in the third quarter and

a year ago.

For the fourth quarter, hiring is expected to be most

active in the West, while more moderate hiring is

anticipated in the Midwest.


12/2410


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-10

35

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


Manufacturing Non-Durable Goods+17 (19)%

The fourth quarter brings continued stability for the

Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing sector, according to

seasonally adjusted survey data. Employers anticipate

little change in the hiring pace over third quarter and a

year ago.

Employers in the West are most confident about

adding staff, while those in the Northeast anticipate

slower hiring than in the other three regions.

Mining +23 (23)%

Mining employers foresee a healthy hiring pace for the

fourth quarter of 2006, according to seasonally

adjusted data. A moderately improved hiring pace isexpected from three months ago, however, hiring plans

are weaker than those reported last year at this time.

For the October December period, hiring intentions

are strongest in the West, while employers in the

Midwest are least optimistic about adding staff.


13/2411

-10

30

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


Public Administration +8 (15)%

Public Administration employers expect the hiring

momentum to remain steady as they close out 2006,

according to seasonally adjusted data. Hiring expectations

are similar to those in the third quarter and last year.

In the Public Administration sector, hiring is expected to

be most active in the West, while a more dismal jobs

picture is predicted for the Northeast.

Services +19 (23)%

For the fourth quarter, seasonally adjusted hiring plans

in the Services sector are relatively consistent with

those reported for the July to September period and a

year ago. Employer optimism for the fourth quarter is

identical to levels identified in the third quarter and in

the last three months of 2005.

Job seekers are likely to find the strongest hiring

market in the South, and a weaker atmosphere in the

Midwest.


14/2412


-10

25

-5

0

5

10

1520

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


-15

35

-10-505

1015202530

89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06


Transportation &Public Utilities+21 (19)%

Transportation/Public Utilities employers anticipatecontinued job market stability for the fourth quarter of

2006, according to seasonally adjusted survey data.

The hiring pace is expected to be about the same as it

was during the third quarter and last year.

Among the regions, employers in the West reveal the

strongest hiring intentions, while those in the Northeast

are less inclined to add staff.

Wholesale &Retail Trade +30 (21)%

Wholesale/Retail Trade employers remain upbeat about

hiring as they finish out 2006, according to the

seasonally adjusted survey results. Employers foresee

little change in the hiring pace over third quarter and

one year ago.

Job market prosperity in the Wholesale/Retail Trade

sector is positive in all four of the U.S. regions, but

employers in the Northeast are most optimistic. Those

in the Midwest lag slightly behind.


15/2413

Over 49,000 employers have been interviewed across

26 countries and territories to measure anticipatedemployment trends* between October and

December 2006.

Employers in all of the 26 countries and territories

Manpower surveyed expect to add to their workforces

in Quarter 4 2006, with those in 18 of the countries and

territories reporting stronger hiring expectations compared

to last year at this time. Hiring activity is also expected

to improve in 15 countries and territories compared to

three months ago. The strongest activity is anticipated

in Peru, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia,New Zealand and South Africa, while the weakest hiring

activity is forecast in France, Italy, the Netherlands and

Spain. Notably, employers in Costa Rica, Peru, Australia,

Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Austria, Germany and

Italy are reporting their most optimistic Net Employment

Outlooks since the survey began in these countries

and territories.

On a regional basis, employers in the Americas continue

to report strong, stable Net Employment Outlooks.Employers in Asia Pacific are among the most positive

globally, and data shows most intend to increase

headcounts compared to the third quarter and Quarter 4

2005. In the Europe, Middle East &Africa (EMEA) region,

employers in all 13 countries surveyed are reporting

positive hiring activity for the quarter ahead, with those

in Germany and Italy indicating notably improved job

prospects. Employers in South Africa were surveyed

for the first time, reporting the strongest fourth-quarter

hiring expectations in the region.

* Comments in this section are based on seasonally adjusted datawhere available.

Global Employment Outlook

Americas

Asia Pacific

Australia

ChinaHongKong

Japan

India

NewZealand

Singapore

Taiwan

Net Employment Outlook


Quarter 4 2006

Quarter 4 2006

Quarter 3 2006

Quarter 3 2006

6

%

%

15 (15)1

19 (24)1

19

30(27)1

43

14(11)1

23

24

%

%

27 (29)1

17 (24)1

26

29 (31)1

42

36(31)1

14

29 (19)1

19 (19)1

16

18(21)1

20(20)1

48

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q3 2006 to Q4 2006

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q3 2006 to Q4 2006

18

12(14)1

-2(0)1

7

-1(4)1

-1

22(20)1

-9

15

9 (10)1

3(4)1

4

16(17)1

2

18(16)1

-2

Yr on Yr Change

Q4 2005 to Q4 2006

Yr on Yr Change

Q4 2005 to Q4 2006

Quarter 4 2005

%

Quarter 4 2005

%

18(19)1

16

9

40

13(14)1

14(20)1

22

18(15)1

16(20)1

19 (18)1CostaRica 24 25 1

United States 25 (21)1 20 (20)1 -5 (-1)1 -1 (-1)121 (21)1

Canada

Mexico

Peru

-11(2)1

1(1)1

32

2(1)1

1(2)1


16/2414


EMEA*

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Ireland

Netherlands

Norway

Spain

UK

Italy

Switzerland

Sweden


Quarter 4 2006Quarter 3 2006

%

14(12)1

13(12)1

4(4)1

1(-2)1

4(2)1

5

22(19)1

16(14)1

16(12)1

11(7)1

13(12)1

2(0)1

%

11(13)1

9 (9)1

4(2)1

5 (8)1

9 (6)1

8

15 (16)1

12(14)1

4(6)1

7 (11)1

11(9)1

2(5)1

Qtr on Qtr Change

Q3 2006 to Q4 2006

-3(1)1

-4(-3)1

0(-2)1

4(10)1

5 (4)1

3

-7 (-3)1

-4(0)1

-12(-6)1

-4(4)1

-2(-3)1

0(5)1

11(13)1

1(1)1

-1(-1)1

7 (10)1

4(3)1

5

1(1)1

0(0)1

-6(-6)1

4(5)1

3(3)1

3(4)1

Yr on Yr Change

Q4 2005 to Q4 2006

*EMEAEurope,MiddleEastandAfrica.

1.NumberinparenthesesistheNetEmploymentOutlookwhenadjustedtoremoveseasonalvariations.

3

Quarter 4 2005

%

0(0)1

8(8)1

5 (3)1

-2(-2)1

14(15)1

5 (3)1

12(14)1

10(12)1South Africa 26

3(6)1

8(6)1

-1(1)1

Asia Pacific31%

EMEA25%

Americas44%

Survey Respondents by Region

Research for the fourth quarter 2006 Manpower

Employment Outlook Survey involved surveying over

49,000 human resources directors and senior hiring

managers from public and private organizationsworldwide. 44% of respondents came from five

countries in the Americas; 31% from eight countries

and territories across Asia Pacific, and 25% from

13 countries in EMEA.


17/2415

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment OutlookSeasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

Canada50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006

Net Employment OutlookNet Employment Outlook

CostaRicajoinedthesurveyinQ32006.

PerujoinedthesurveyinQ22006.

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


Costa Rica

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20Seasonally Adjusted OutlookSeasonally Adjusted Outlook

2003 2004 2005 2006


Mexico Peru

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


USA

International Comparisons AmericasOver 21,000 interviews have been conducted across

Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and the United Statesto measure employment prospects for Quarter 4 2006.

The data shows continued strength and stability in the

region with employers in all five countries indicating

healthy hiring plans for the final three months of the year.

The Net Employment Outlook for Peru is considerably

improved in comparison to the third quarter and is the

most optimistic Outlook reported globally, while the

Outlooks reported by employers in the United States,

Mexico and Canada are comparable to both three

months ago and last year at this time. Canadian

employers are forecasting their most optimistic hiring

plans in six years.


18/2416


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


ChinajoinedthesurveyinQ22005.

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


IndiajoinedthesurveyinQ32005.

Australia China

Hong Kong India

International Comparisons Asia PacificOver 15,000 interviews have been conducted across

the Asia Pacific region to measure anticipated hiringactivity between October and December 2006.

Employers in the Asia Pacific region remain positive

about adding employees across all countries and

territories surveyed, with those in India, Singapore and

Hong Kong anticipating the most robust fourth-quarter

hiring activity. Compared to this time last year, Net

Employment Outlooks have improved in seven of the

eight countries and territories, with the exception being

Taiwan, where the Outlook remains positive, but is the

weakest result since the survey began there in Quarter 2

2005. Meanwhile, employers in Australia, Hong Kong,

Japan and Singapore are reporting their most optimistic

Net Employment Outlooks since the survey began in

these countries and territories in 2003.

Notably, employers in China, Australia and Singapore

expect to increase the pace of hiring considerably in

comparison to both three months ago and this time

last year.


19/2417

Japan

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


NewZealandjoinedthesurveyinQ22004.

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


TaiwanjoinedthesurveyinQ22005.

New Zealand

Singapore Taiwan


20/2418


International Comparisons EMEAOver 12,000 interviews have been conducted with

employers across 13 EMEA countries to measureanticipated employment trends for Quarter 4 2006.

Employers in the EMEA region are anticipating varying

degrees of positive hiring activity for the next three

months, but all intend to add to their existing workforces.

Compared to Quarter 4 2005, the employment picture

has improved in nine countries and weakened in just

two Spain and France. Employer hiring expectations

have improved quarter-over-quarter in six countries,

however they have weakened in five.

South African employers, who join the survey for the

first time this quarter, report the strongest Outlook for

the region, along with those in Ireland, Norway andAustria. Notably, employers in Germany and Italy report

improved, positive hiring intentions, and join employers in

Austria in predicting their strongest hiring plans since the

survey began in these countries in 2003. The weakest

hiring activity in the region and globally is anticipated in

France, where employers expect only a slight increase

to their workforces over the next three months.

Ireland Italy50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


Austria Belgium

France Germany


21/2419

Spain

Switzerland

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


Norway

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


SwitzerlandjoinedthesurveyinQ32005.No

bar

indicate

sNet

Employment

Outlook

of

zero.

South Africa

Sweden

UK

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006


SouthAfricajoinedthesurveyinQ42006.

Netherlands

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10


2003 2004 2005 2006


50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

2003 2004 2005 2006



22/2420


About the SurveyThe Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted

quarterly to measure employers intentions to increase or

decrease the number of employees in their workforces during

the next quarter. The survey has been running for more than40 years and is one of the most trusted surveys of

employment activity in the world. Various factors underpin the

success of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey:

Unique: It is unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area

of focus.

Projective:The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the

most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the

world, asking employers to forecast employment over the

next quarter. In contrast, other surveys and studies focus on

retrospective data to report on what occurred in the past.

Focused: For more than four decades, the survey has derivedall of its information from a single question.

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

Manpowers customer base.

Robust:The survey is based on interviews with more than

49,000 public and private employers across 26 countries and

territories to measure anticipated employment trends each

quarter.This sample allows for analysis to be performed across

specific sectors and regions to provide more detailed information.

MethodologyThe Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted

using a validated methodology, in accordance with the highest

standards in market research. The research team for the

26 countries and territories where the survey is currently

conducted includes Manpowers Market Intelligence team;

the Organization Research and Analysis Division of Right

Management Consultants an independent operating division

of Manpower Inc.; NOP World, Grupo IDM and DATUM

Research. The survey has been structured to be representative

of each national economy. The margin of error for all national,

regional and global data is not greater than +/- 4.3%.

In the United States, the national survey is conducted by

Manpowers North American Market Intelligence Team and

includes 14,000 employers. With this number of interviews,

the margin of error for the United States survey is +/- 0.8%.

Survey QuestionAll employers participating in the survey worldwide are asked

the same question, How do you anticipate total employment

at your location to change in the three months to the end of

December 2006 as compared to the current quarter?

Net Employment OutlookThroughout 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 AdjustmentSeasonal adjustments have been applied to the data for

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong

Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway,

Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United

States 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 clearer picture of the data

over time. Manpower intends to add seasonal adjustments

to the data for other countries in the future, as more historical

data is compiled.


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History of the Survey1962 1st generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey launched in the United States and Canada.

1966 Manpowers UK operation launches the equivalent of

the United States survey, naming the report the QuarterlySurvey of Employment Prospects. The survey adopts

the same forward-looking research format as the United

States survey and is the first of its kind in Europe.

1976 2nd generation of Manpowers Employment Outlook

Survey launched in the United States and Canada.

Research methodology is updated to evolve with

advancements in the field of market research.

2002 Manpower UKs Quarterly Survey of Employment

Prospects is updated to adopt an enhanced research

methodology. Manpowers operations in Mexico and

Ireland launch the survey in their respective countries.

2003 3rd generation of the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey is launched, expanding the program to a total

18 countries and territories worldwide: Australia,

Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong

Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,

Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

and United States.

2004 Manpower operations in New Zealand launch the

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

2005 Manpower operations in China, India, Switzerland and

Taiwan launch the Manpower Employment Outlook

Survey.

2006 Manpower operations in Costa Rica, Peru and South

Africa joined the survey program. Surveys in Australia,

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland,

Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore,

Spain and Sweden add seasonally adjusted data in the

third quarter.

About Manpower Inc.Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the

employment services industry; creating and delivering services

that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work.

The $16 billion company offers employers a range of servicesfor the entire employment and business cycle including

permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee

assessment and selection; training; outplacement;

outsourcing and consulting. Manpowers worldwide network

of 4,400 offices in 72 countries and territories enables the

company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year,

including small and medium size enterprises in all industry

sectors, as well as the worlds largest multinational corporations.

The focus of Manpowers work is on raising productivity

through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across

their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their

core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under fivebrands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson

Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower

Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.

About Manpower USAIn the United States, Manpower offers businesses a range

of HR services, in addition to providing administrative,

industrial and contact center personnel. Under the

Manpower Professional brand, the company placescontract professionals on assignment in areas such as

information technology, scientific, f inance, engineering and

telecommunications. More information about Manpowers

US operation can be found at www.us.manpower.com.


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Manpower Inc., 5301 N. Ironwood Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53217, USA

Tel: 414 961 1000

www.us.manpower.com

manpower employment outlook survey: united states - q4, 2006

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