The global labour market for white-collar professionals continued its turbulent ride in April 2025, with job postings dropping by 11.6% compared to March, according to the latest Global Jobs Index released by Robert Walters in collaboration with Vacancysoft.
Despite the downturn, one segment defied the broader market trend: AI and data roles. Hiring in this space remained buoyant, with machine learning job listings increasing by 27% month-on-month—driven by a sharp rise in demand for data engineers and AI infrastructure specialists as enterprises shift from pilot projects to full-scale implementation.
“Organisations are recalibrating hiring strategies, but AI is emerging as a non-negotiable investment,” said Toby Fowlston, CEO, Robert Walters. “We’re seeing a decisive move toward tech roles that build resilience, automate processes, and unlock new value.”
Regional Contrasts: US, UK See Sharpest Falls
Hiring sentiment was cautious across several mature markets:
- United States experienced a 16.2% drop in job ads, largely linked to uncertainty arising from newly implemented trade tariffs.
- United Kingdom saw vacancies decline by 12%, as employers recalibrated budgets following increases in National Insurance contributions and adjustments to employment laws.
In contrast, France recorded a 3.5% uptick in professional job opportunities—led by activity in Healthcare (+13%), TMT (+12%), and Financial Services (+5%).
Sectoral View: Advisory and Tech Diverge
- Professional Services stood out as the best-performing sector, growing +9.9% in April. Much of this was fuelled by a 36% jump in India, where advisory and consulting roles surged.
- The Technology, Media & Telecoms (TMT) sector—still the largest globally at 35% of all roles—shrank by 17.9% after a hiring spree in March. However, France defied this pattern, with TMT postings up 12%, hinting at stabilisation.
Financial Services: Risk and Compliance Roles Prioritised
Overall hiring in financial services dipped 8.5% globally, but countries like Poland (-2.7%) and France (+5%) presented more tempered figures. Rather than headcount expansion, institutions are now reinforcing operational capabilities in governance, risk, and compliance.
“It’s no longer about scaling for growth,” added Fowlston. “It’s about strengthening the core—especially in functions that ensure continuity and compliance.”
India’s AI Job Boom: Talent Shortfall Grows
India remains a standout market, not just in professional services but also in AI recruitment, where year-on-year hiring rose 33.39%. Yet, the ecosystem is grappling with a widening talent deficit—particularly in generative AI roles. Reports suggest only one qualified GenAI engineer exists for every 10 open positions in India’s tech sector.
Outlook: Precision Hiring in a Volatile Market
April’s data paints a picture of selectivity over stagnation. Employers are hiring with intent—prioritising roles that directly influence productivity, revenue, or long-term resilience. While the volume of listings may have dipped, the strategic value of roles being filled has never been clearer.
Source – https://www.bwpeople.in/article/ai-hiring-holds-strong-amid-april-dip-in-global-jobs-557237