Employers around the world reported optimistic hiring outlooks in Q2 2018, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey which showed that employers in 43 of 44 countries plan to add staff.

They survey showed that hiring confidence is strongest in Croatia, Taiwan, Japan, Hungary and the US.

When compared to the previous quarter, hiring intentions improved in 17 countries.

In the EMEA region, staffing levels are expected to grow in 25 of 26 countries surveyed, with the only negative outlook across all countries and territories surveyed reported in Italy. Employers reporting the strongest outlooks are in Croatia.

In the UK, employers recorded their most optimistic jobs forecast in over a year. ManpowerGroup’s survey stated that job prospects look bright in the hospitality sector with employers looking to fill vacancies ahead of Brexit in an industry that is heavily dependent on immigration.

In the Asia Pacific region, employers in all eight countries and territories expect staffing levels to increase with hiring sentiment strongest in Taiwan, followed closely by Japan. The most cautious outlook in the region is reported in China.

Meanwhile, in the Americas, positive outlooks were reported in all ten countries surveyed with employers in the US reporting the region's most upbeat forecast.

"We are seeing optimism from employers in many countries across the world as the near-term global economic outlook is increasingly positive," Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. "Sustained positive hiring intentions combined with the ongoing impact of technology across all industries mean companies will need to find new ways of upskilling the workforce to help fill vacancies. This must happen at speed and scale.  Businesses that are able to find the right balance of technology, talent and human connection will be those that will succeed in this ‘Skills Revolution’."

The outlook surveyed 59,000 employers across 44 countries and territories. The full list of countries is available here.