Robert Walters Global Jobs Index: October 2025

21 October 2025.

Global hiring steadies across the world’s largest businesses with selective growth across key sectors.

• Global white-collar vacancies up +18% year-on-year (Sept. 25 vs Sept 24), driven by Tech and Financial Services
• India (+38%) and the USA (+21%) lead annual growth compared to September 2024
• Vacancies broadly flat (-1%) in September compared to August as employers maintain a cautious, strategic approach
• Healthcare (+16%) and Financial Services (+2%) up globally in September vs. August while Technology sees -5% decline
• UK vacancies +18% YoY, but down -15% vs August, with Financial Services defying the trend (+16%)
•  Germany (-10% YoY; -14% MoM) records continued slowdown

Global professional job vacancies across the world’s largest businesses rose +18% in September 2025 compared to the same month last year. However, hiring activity remained stable (-1%) in September versus August, signalling that while confidence has improved from 2024 levels, employers continue to proceed with caution.

Toby Fowlston, CEO of Robert Walters, comments, “The year-on-year rise shows progress from a slower 2024, but the minimal short-term movement reflects that we continue to be in a more measured phase of the hiring cycle. There is still appetite for skilled professionals, but organisations are approaching recruitment with discipline – investing in the right people, rather than simply adding numbers.”

The findings come from Robert Walters Global Jobs Index, published today on Tuesday, 21 October, in partnership with Vacancysoft. It is the only index of its kind to track job flow for professional roles across the world's largest employers by looking at external job adverts posted online in real time. 

Year-on-year trends: Hiring up 18% globally, led by TMT and Financial Services

Across all markets, total vacancies rose +18% in September 2025 versus September 2024. The Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT) sector led growth (+28% YoY), followed by Financial Services (+15%) and Healthcare (+3%).

The USA recorded a +21% increase in overall vacancies compared to September 2024, led by demand in technology and healthcare. 

Toby notes, “In the US, it’s clear that technology hiring is evolving rather than expanding. Even as parts of the tech industry restructure, demand for expertise in AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies is creating new opportunities and shaping the next phase of digital hiring.”

Financial Services fuels growth in India

India continues to lead global growth, with vacancies up +38% year-on-year, supported by strong hiring in Financial Services (+45%) and steady TMT demand (+7%).

“India’s hiring landscape reflects confidence in its long-term growth story,” adds Toby. “The continued expansion in Financial Services shows how both domestic and global firms are building out capability there, particularly in analytics, digital banking, and operations.”

UK sectors see uplift

The UK also recorded an +18% increase in vacancies compared to last year, primarily driven by TMT (+22%) and Financial Services (+19%). 

Toby comments, “The UK market has regained some momentum over the past year with Fintech and emerging technologies such as cybersecurity and AI driving much of the demand. Broader hiring remains measured, but we’re seeing investment in roles that strengthen digital capability and client delivery.”

In contrast, Germany saw declines with vacancies down -10% compared to last year, with Financial Services the weakest performer.

“In Germany, job vacancies are being impacted by ongoing economic uncertainty and cost-cutting. However, demand remains strong for specialised digital and STEM skills – areas where companies continue to face acute shortages despite broader hiring caution”, adds Toby. “Businesses are taking a selective approach to recruitment, focusing only on business-critical or transformation-related functions.”

Month-on-month trends: Hiring stabilises after quieter summer period

Between August and September, total global vacancies fell marginally by -1%. Financial Services hiring rose slightly (+2%), and Healthcare posted the largest month-on-month increase (+16%), while Technology saw a small pullback (-5%) following earlier gains.

US flat overall, healthcare supports stability

In the USA, overall activity was flat (-0.1%), with Healthcare vacancies up +20% while Financial Services hiring was down -14%. 

Toby says, “The US data suggests employers are keeping hiring broadly steady, with healthcare-related roles providing a small offset to slower activity in Financial Services. Demand within healthcare continues to reflect investment in medical technology and essential service delivery.”

Financial Services defies slowdown across UK

In the UK, vacancies across the world’s largest organisations fell by -15% compared to August. However, Financial Services defied the broader trend, recording a +16% increase.

Toby comments, “Vacancies in the UK reduced slightly in September as employers reviewed budgets before entering the final quarter. Financial Services continues to show resilience, particularly in areas tied to compliance, regulation, and client delivery.”

Europe activity remains subdued

Across continental Europe, activity remained subdued, with Germany seeing further declines month-on-month (-14%), as employers delayed new hiring decisions.

“European markets remain cautious in their short-term hiring decisions. In Germany, the white-collar job market continues to be impacted by slow GDP growth, high business costs, and ongoing industrial restructuring. Many organisations are keeping recruitment pipelines open but moving more slowly, focusing on essential hires rather than expansion,” says Toby. 

Outlook

Overall, the data suggests that hiring has settled into a period of measured stability. While activity is higher than in 2024, month-to-month movement remains limited as employers continue to prioritise specialist and business-critical hires.

Toby concludes, “Employers are hiring, but they’re doing so with intent and restraint. As we move into the final quarter of the year, we expect this balanced approach to continue, with growth focused in high-value sectors and roles that drive operational performance.”

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