- What is happening in each region of the country?
- The regional contrast
The first look at employment for 2026 shows an improvement compared to this year. According to the quarterly Employment Expectations Survey conducted by ManpowerGroup, Argentine employers expect Net Employment Expectation (ENE). of 10% for the first three months of 2026. The data represents a An increase of five points compared to the previous quarter and an improvement of 11 points year-on-year.
The report – based on more than 700 companies surveyed – shows that 30% of companies plan to increase their workforce 18% hope for a reduction. 35% expect to keep it unchanged.
“After four quarters of zero or weak job creation expectations, the Argentine business community is more optimistic” said Luis Guastini, number one at ManpowerGroup in the country. Still, he warned that Argentina remains among the lowest expectations in the region. “The country has left behind the last place in the global ranking, but is still far from regional standards.” he pointed out.
As for the sectors that will lead growth, increases are expected nine of the eleven economic sectors examined. Finance and insurance top the list with an ENE of 27%. powered by Insurance and Fintech industrywhile traditional banking will be more cautious.
Construction and real estate follow with 20%. This is an area that is beginning to see increasing activity in the context of greater macroeconomic stability and revival of private projects.
On the contrary, public sector, health and social services had a negative ENE of 3%,the weakest in the study.
Guastini emphasized that the recovery is heterogeneous. “There are industries that are starting to gain momentum and others that have just plateaued.”he explained. He cited mass consumption as one of the areas with the greatest lag: ““Demand remains weak and many companies are only now balancing inventories and volumes.”
The executive noted that the best prospects come with ongoing challenges: “Salaries were very low and that had an impact on consumption. Only now is a certain reorganization emerging, but it is not enough to reactivate certain sectors.” He also mentioned that improving credit scores and lower interest rates “improve the business climate.” In the energy sector, he highlighted a favorable horizon: “Patagonia will be one of the most dynamic regions in terms of job creation.”
What is happening in each region of the country?
The Northeast reports the highest expectation with an ENE of 15%.powered by energy, agriculture and services. Patagonia and the Pampean region were located in 13%. In contrast, Cuyo showed a neutral expectation (0%), influenced by lower dynamism in the food industry and industrial sectors.
The strongest jump in the NEA was also recorded year-on-year, with an improvement of 25 points. This fell by 16 points compared to 2025.
The regional contrast
On a global level 40 of the 42 countries surveyed expect their wage and salary figures to increase between January and March. In Latin America, Brazil leads with an ENE of 57%, followed by Guatemala (28%), the United States (27%) and Mexico (24%). Argentina was among the lowest at 10%, followed by Costa Rica (11%) and Chile (13%).
“Brazil is the big surprise of the year. It is growing faster than expected and is consolidating an expansion that creates sustainable jobs. “This will also have a positive impact on Argentina.”Guastini pointed out.
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