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The global job market experienced an increase in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026, with job postings up by 4.6% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ). This indicates that hiring momentum recovered after the decline in Q2 2026, says the Job Analytics Database of GlobalData.
GlobalData’s report, Global Hiring Activity Trends & Signals – Q3 2026, shows that AI, Big Data, along with Cloud and Cybersecurity remained the top themes for Q3 2026 with most job postings continuing the momentum from last quarter. Job posting for frontier technology themes such as Space Economy, Quantum Computing, and Advanced Materials grew faster.
Sherla Sriprada, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US remained the largest job market by a wide margin, while the UK and Australia showed positive turnarounds in hiring activity. The UAE recorded strong growth, as did Austria, Switzerland, and Ireland, albeit from a low base. In contrast, job postings in Canada and China continued to contract during the quarter.”
Onshoring in North America increased, as companies headquartered in North America accounted for a higher share of regional job postings. Companies headquartered in Europe and Asia-Pacific also increased their share of job postings in North America.
Job postings increased across most industries, with the Retail sector recording the highest number of postings among major industries, followed by Technology. Construction, Consumer, Packaging, and Travel & Tourism also saw growth in job postings. However, Aerospace, Defence and Security (ADS), Medical, Power, and Mining registered declines in job postings.
Meanwhile, Specialised AI Applications and Application Platforms and Containers skills recorded strong growth.
Sriprada concludes: “The rise in job postings may reflect seasonal hiring ahead of Q4, alongside continued demand for AI-related roles.”
