Firms struggle to find the right IT skills despite weakening demand: Experis
Global Tech Talent Shortage Persists Despite Weakening Hiring Demand: Experis Q1 2026 Outlook
In today's rapidly evolving tech landscape, finding qualified talent remains one of the biggest challenges employers face worldwide. According to Experis' first-quarter 2026 Tech Talent Outlook, the global tech industry continues to grapple with significant talent scarcity, even as hiring demand shows signs of cooling.
The Stark Reality of Tech Talent Scarcity
The October survey of nearly 3,800 tech and IT services employers across 41 countries paints a clear picture: **76% of employers struggle to find the skilled talent they need**. More concerning, over half (54%) reported difficulties specifically in finding IT and data professionals – the backbone of modern digital transformation.
Despite these challenges, the employment outlook remains positive overall. **47% of employers plan to hire** in the upcoming quarter, while 15% expect to reduce staff, resulting in a **global net employment outlook of 35%** for Q1 2026.
## Regional Variations in Tech Hiring
The tech employment landscape varies significantly by country:
- **Brazil** leads with the strongest tech and IT services net employment outlook at 58%
- **Peru** follows at 51%
- **India** maintains a robust 50% outlook
Notably, **Guatemala** showed the most dramatic improvement year-over-year, with its net employment outlook jumping 34 points since Q1 2025. Peru and Chile also demonstrated significant gains of 34 and 33 points, respectively.
Weakening Hiring Demand
While talent scarcity persists, hiring demand has shown signs of moderation. The survey revealed that hiring demand weakened, declining 3% from the previous quarter and 5% compared to the same period last year. This suggests a potential cooling in the tech job market, though demand remains strong overall.
Strategies to Overcome Talent Scarcity
Employers are adapting to the talent shortage through various innovative approaches:
- **32%** are investing in upskilling and reskilling existing employees
- **26%** are targeting new talent pools
- **26%** are expanding workplace flexibility through hybrid and remote models
- **25%** are increasing wages
- **24%** are offering more schedule flexibility
Most In-Demand Technical Skills
The survey identified the following as the most sought-after technical skills:
- **IT and data** (54%)
- **Engineering** (29%)
- **Sales and marketing** (20%)
- **Operations and logistics** (18%)
- **Risk, advisory and governance** (15%)
- **Front office and consumer-facing** (15%)
What This Means for Tech Professionals and Employers
For tech professionals, the persistent talent shortage means continued opportunities, particularly in IT and data roles. For employers, the message is clear: competition for top talent remains fierce, and innovative recruitment and retention strategies are essential.
As the tech industry continues to evolve, the ability to adapt – whether through upskilling existing staff, embracing flexible work models, or exploring new talent pools – will be crucial for success in the coming year.
*Experis is part of the ManpowerGroup family of brands, which also includes Manpower and Talent Solutions.*