Brazil Leads Global Hiring Outlook For 2026 As Greece’s Tourism Sector Sees Strong Growth In Hiring Expectations, While The UK, Slovakia, And Romania Struggle

Published on December 10, 2025

Brazil is leading the global hiring outlook for 2026, driven by a booming job market across various sectors, especially in tourism. Greece also experiences a notable rise in hiring expectations, thanks to its rapidly growing tourism industry. In contrast, countries like the UK, Slovakia, and Romania are facing challenges with employment growth, struggling to match the optimism seen in other parts of the world. This stark contrast highlights the shifting global employment trends as economies react to local conditions and international demand.

Greece’s tourism and hotel sector is projected to experience a significant increase in hiring during the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Employment Outlook Survey. The survey, which gathered responses from employers across the country, reveals a 35% hiring outlook for the sector, marking a substantial 41-point rise from the final quarter of 2025. This is an encouraging signal for the tourism industry, which plays a vital role in Greece’s economy.

This optimism comes at a time when the Ministry of Tourism in Greece is pushing forward with a controversial plan to reduce the length of tourism education programs, specifically the ASTER and ASTEK tourism schools, from four years to three. The proposal has sparked considerable debate, particularly in Crete, where many industry professionals are concerned that shortening the duration of the curriculum could lower the quality of training at a time when a skilled workforce is more essential than ever. In response, several stakeholders within the tourism industry have voiced concerns that a reduced curriculum might compromise the ability of graduates to meet the increasing demands of the sector.

Industry professionals point out that tourism is a dynamic and diverse sector, and quality training is paramount in ensuring that Greece maintains its reputation as a top-tier destination for travelers from all over the world. As the sector continues to grow, with more tourists flocking to Greece each year, the demand for qualified professionals has never been higher. Experts warn that cutting down on training duration might not only affect the quality of education but could also contribute to a skills gap, leaving the tourism industry vulnerable to labor shortages.

Overall, the survey provides a broader picture of hiring expectations for the first quarter of 2026. Across all sectors, the data shows that 31% of employers plan to increase their workforce, 14% anticipate staffing reductions, 52% expect to maintain current staffing levels, and 3% are unsure about their hiring plans. These findings point to an overall positive outlook for the job market in Greece, particularly within sectors like tourism and hospitality, which are expected to see the most significant gains.

In addition, the survey highlights a notable trend in the hiring intentions of small, medium, and large companies. Mid-sized companies, with between 250 and 999 employees, are showing the strongest hiring intentions worldwide, with a 28% increase in hiring projections. This group appears to be benefitting from a growing demand for their services and an expanding customer base. These companies, particularly those within tourism and related industries, are actively seeking skilled professionals to meet the growing demand for services. In contrast, larger corporations seem to be holding steady in terms of staffing, with most employers reporting stable staffing levels. Meanwhile, smaller businesses (those with fewer than 250 employees) are also expecting hiring growth, but on a more modest scale.

On a global scale, the Employment Outlook for Q1 2026 stands at 24%, showing a slight increase from the previous quarter but a decrease when compared to the same time last year. Globally, the sectors with the most robust hiring projections include Finance & Insurance (32%), Technology, Media, and Telecom (29%), and Construction & Real Estate (27%). These sectors are expected to continue expanding as global economies recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, more cautious sectors such as Public Administration, Health & Social Services (20%), Utilities and Natural Resources (22%), and Trade & Logistics (23%) are expected to experience slower hiring growth.

The global outlook also reveals some interesting regional trends. In terms of international hiring, Brazil is leading the pack with an impressive 54% hiring outlook, significantly higher than other regions. The country is benefitting from strong economic recovery, increased investment, and growing demand for skilled labor. By comparison, Europe and the Middle East have more tempered expectations, with an average hiring outlook of 20%. This is a reflection of the ongoing challenges faced by several European and Middle Eastern countries, where economic conditions remain uncertain.

Within Europe, the UK, Romania, and Slovakia are projected to experience the weakest hiring outlooks. The UK, in particular, has seen a decline in hiring expectations, with only 13% of employers planning to expand their workforce. Meanwhile, Romania’s hiring outlook stands at 0%, and Slovakia has recorded a negative outlook at -3%, signaling that the labor market in these countries may face difficulties in the near future.

While the Greek tourism sector shows encouraging growth, concerns about the quality of education in the field remain an ongoing challenge. Industry professionals are calling for a careful review of the proposed changes to the curriculum at the ASTER and ASTEK tourism schools. The impact of these changes could have long-term implications on the country’s ability to maintain its competitive edge in the global tourism market.

Brazil is set to lead the global hiring outlook for 2026, driven by strong growth in multiple sectors, while Greece’s tourism sector sees a surge in hiring expectations. Meanwhile, the UK, Slovakia, and Romania face challenges in their employment growth due to economic struggles.

Greece’s tourism and hotel sectors are poised for significant growth in the first quarter of 2026. Despite the ongoing debate over the shortening of tourism education programs, the overall outlook for employment in Greece remains positive, with many employers across various sectors planning to increase their workforce. The global trend also points to a steady recovery in many industries, with mid-sized companies leading the way in terms of hiring intentions. However, Greece’s tourism sector must continue to balance the demand for skilled workers with the quality of education and training provided to ensure that the industry can meet future challenges and continue to thrive.