• Posted jobs decline 14.6% QoQ in Q4 2025
  • Technology and retail sectors trend with highest postings
  • Job postings drop in the US, India and the UK
  • North America, MEA show decline in the share of onshore job postings

Global hiring slowed sharply in late 2025, with job postings experiencing a 14.6% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) decline during the fourth quarter (Q4) as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and growing use of AI automation reshaped recruitment decisions, reveals the Job Analytics Database of GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

GlobalData’s report, “Global Hiring Activity Trends & Signals – Q4 2025,” reveals that AI and cloud were the top tech themes during the quarter followed by cybersecurity. Machine learning and GenAI were the top themes within AI. The US and India were hotspots for GenAI job postings.

Sherla Sriprada, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Job postings fell in the US as well as India and the UK. However, France and Germany saw hiring momentum, defying the drop in other markets. North America and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) experienced a decline in the share of onshore job postings as companies reassessed their hiring strategies amid shifts in the policy and regulatory landscape.”

The technology sector posted the highest number of new job openings during the quarter, followed by retail. Job postings in the technology sector were driven by demand for skilled tech talent and the continued momentum of digital transformation initiatives. Sectors such as business and consumer services, and construction also posted high job postings. 

Meanwhile, application platforms and containers gained traction, followed by customer relationship management applications.

Sriprada concludes: “These trends reflect shift in employer priorities and hiring strategies across different markets and sectors. While global job postings declined, certain regions showed steady demand for roles linked to ongoing business requirements. Companies are adjusting recruitment strategies to align with shifts in economic, regulatory, and technology environments.”