The job market for managers and professionals appear to be stable around the globe with 47% of organisations expected to hire in the coming quarter, the latest global snapshot survey by recruitment firm Antal International found.

Although hiring levels have dropped slightly from the previous quarter, there has been a reduction in firms firing staff. This figure is down from 18% in August to 16%, and is expected to remain unchanged over the next three months.

“The results of the latest Snapshot indicate greater stability throughout the international staffing sector,” said Antal CEO, Tony Goodwin. “Feedback from our clients across the globe suggests that many are under pressure to do more with fewer resources.

“Despite a consistent decline in the percentage of companies hiring, a steady fall in the percentage of organisations shedding staff infers that workforces are stabilising and offering more in the way of long-term security to employees,” he said.

Staffing trends vary by region, especially in Europe. In France and Ireland, hiring levels are lower than expected while in Italy and the Netherlands the market for professionals also shows signs of a contraction. The Scandinavian market is doing well, while in the UK 45% of businesses plan on recruiting for senior roles in the early months of 2013.

In Asia Pacific, Indian companies recruiting at managerial and professional level has dropped by over a third and now stands at 40%. The Japanese and Chinese job markets fare well despite lower than expected recruitment levels.

The survey asked almost 17,000 organisations in over 50 countries about their hiring and firing levels over the coming quarter.  

Click here to view the full survey results.