Employers in the insurance and finance sectors across the Asia Pacific and Middle East are anticipating robust hiring activity in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
The survey reveals a Net Employment Outlook of 38% for the sector, placing it among the strongest across all industries in the region. This figure signals sustained confidence among employers and reflects ongoing workforce expansion across financial and insurance organisations.
Driving this hiring momentum is the continued growth and diversification of businesses in the sector. Many firms are ramping up recruitment to support organisational expansion, enhance digital capabilities, and strengthen client service delivery. Large-scale employers, particularly those with workforces exceeding 5,000 staff, also reported a Net Employment Outlook of 38%, highlighting ongoing recruitment drives within major financial institutions and leading insurance companies.
Regionally, India emerged as a standout market, recording the highest national employment outlook at 52%. The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) followed closely at 46%, demonstrating similarly strong recruitment intentions. Both markets continue to exhibit significant demand for skilled professionals, especially as insurers and financial services firms invest in digital transformation and expand their distribution networks.
ManpowerGroup’s survey, conducted between 1 and 31 October 2025, captures employer expectations for staffing changes over the period from January to March 2026. The findings indicate that the sector is prioritising the acquisition of talent capable of navigating evolving market demands, regulatory shifts, and the rapid adoption of technology-driven solutions.
Analysts suggest that the sustained hiring outlook in insurance and finance reflects broader trends in the regional economy, where digitalisation, product innovation, and market expansion are creating new employment opportunities. Sector leaders are expected to continue focusing on recruiting skilled personnel to drive growth and maintain competitive advantage in a fast-evolving financial landscape.
Overall, the first quarter of 2026 is shaping up to be a period of vigorous recruitment for insurance and finance, signalling optimism and strategic workforce planning across organisations in these sectors.