Puerto Rico hiring outlook falls but stays above ’24 levels
ManpowerGroup’s latest Employment Expectations Survey shows a net hiring outlook of 16% for the last quarter of 2025, a two-point drop from the previous quarter but three points higher than the same period last year.
“This time the survey reflects a slight drop compared with what we observed in the previous quarter. However, the fact that expectations remain higher than last year for the same date fills us with optimism. We hope that this quarter will close with stability and help materialize a strong year-end,” said Melissa Rivera-Roena, general manager for ManpowerGroup in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
The survey, which measured hiring expectations for October through December, found that the highest demand is expected in Puerto Rico’s central and western regions, both at 25%. The eastern region followed at 24%, while the north showed the lowest expectations at 6%.
By industry, life sciences and health care posted the strongest demand at 44%, followed by information technology at 35% and manufacturing at 25%. By company size, firms with 250 to 999 employees were expected to hire the most, followed by companies with 10 to 49 workers at 20% and corporations with 1,000 to 4,999 workers at 18%.
Asked about the reasons for workforce expansion, 33% of employers cited company growth plans, 32% pointed to acquiring new skills to remain competitive and 31% highlighted the creation of new tasks within existing services.
For employers anticipating staff reductions, 40% cited an inability to replace workers who resign or retire, 33% pointed to economic challenges and 30% said industry shifts had reduced demand.
Alberto Alesi, general director of ManpowerGroup in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, placed Puerto Rico’s labor outlook in a global context. Of 42 countries surveyed, Puerto Rico ranked 28th, compared with a global average of 23%.
“The survey reveals a climate of stability in Puerto Rico’s employment market,” Alesi said. “That has been the trend throughout this year, which is a very positive economic indicator. It is important that adjustments be made in all areas this quarter so that 2026 begins on solid ground. At ManpowerGroup, we are committed to supporting the business and government sectors in Puerto Rico with our global expertise, tools and trend analyses.”
Employers also highlighted challenges in recruiting. Attracting qualified candidates remains the greatest obstacle, followed by filling highly technical roles and managing a high volume of applications. Companies also reported difficulties keeping pace with artificial intelligence tools and addressing the growing use of AI by job seekers. Other concerns included shortening hiring times and coping with limited resources. Only 3% of employers said they faced no recruitment challenges.
To address these issues, employers reported focusing on work-life balance, flexible schedules, job recognition and training opportunities. Flexibility in work location, strong leadership and the chance to take on challenging tasks were also cited as effective retention strategies. Technology has become central to recruitment, while only 2% of employers said they use no specific approach.
The next report, covering hiring expectations for the first quarter of 2026, is scheduled for release in December.
