Employers worldwide report optimistic hiring outlooks for the first quarter of 2019, according to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey released today by ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN). Employers in all 26 countries surveyed in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region plan to hire next quarter.

Employers in Slovenia and Greece reported the strongest outlooks at 19% and 18% respectively; Swiss employers continue to report the weakest hiring prospects in the region.

However, some European countries show signs of softening hiring intentions amid trade tensions and Brexit uncertainty. Modest outlooks are reported in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

In the UK, employers remain optimistic with plans for a 6% increase in hiring — stable when compared to the previous quarter. ManpowerGroup’s survey found employers in the construction sector continue to report the most optimism, with a 9% increase, leading to concerns over talent shortages as Brexit negotiations continue.

The Spanish labour market is set to soften next quarter as employers report an outlook of 3%, down slightly from the previous quarter. However, optimistic employers in the wholesale and retail trade expect a 10% increase, the strongest hiring climate in 11 years.

Manufacturing employers are reporting some of the most optimistic headcount increases for the first quarter in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Poland, driven by growth in the automotive industry.

Overall, the Outlook Survey included more than 60,000 employers across 44 countries and territories.

“We’re seeing continued demand for skilled talent across the globe, as companies stay focused on business growth, especially in tight labour markets like the US,” said ManpowerGroup Chairman and CEO Jonas Prising. “We see positive hiring too across Europe despite some caution in Northern Europe where outlooks are more modest. This year headwinds including new governments, continued uncertainty around whether a Brexit deal might be reached and concerns relating to global trade appear to have led some employers to adopt a wait and see approach to hiring.”