After two consecutive quarters of recovery, tech hiring in Portugal is slowing again. According to the latest Experis Tech Talent Outlook, the net employment outlook for Q3 2025 stands at +19%—six points lower than in Q2 and a full 17 points below the global average of +36%. While 42% of Portuguese tech companies plan to hire, 23% foresee cuts, and 34% expect to maintain current headcounts.
This places Portugal in a countercyclical position compared to international trends. “The data for the next three months reflect a more subdued IT market in Portugal, influenced by the effects of the economic slowdown and global uncertainty,” said Nuno Ferro, Brand Leader at Experis. Despite the cooling outlook, demand for specialized talent is expected to remain steady as companies continue adapting to technological change and AI adoption.
Globally, the IT sector is booming. The third-quarter global hiring outlook has risen to +36%, with Norway (+60%), the UAE (+55%), and Belgium (+52%) leading. The EMEA region shows a +31% outlook, up five points from the previous quarter. Reasons for hiring include company growth (30%), technological advances (26%), and new skill demands (22%). Among those reducing staff, the top reasons include role consolidation (40%) and internal restructuring (33%).
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