Chief People Officers Outlook September 2025

7Chief People Officers Outlook Global 12-month talent outlook Short-term caution, long-term transformation The mid-2025 labour market outlook reflects widespread short-term caution. When asked about their expectations for the labour market for the year ahead, chief people officers show no clear consensus. The overall outlook is static: 42% expect no change, with the remainder split between somewhat weaker or somewhat stronger. This points to caution, illustrated by low vacancy and quit rates, which are currently well below recent peaks, specifically in the United States2 but also globally. According to the chief people officers consulted for this briefing, many organizations are delaying hiring or restructuring decisions as they assess an evolving landscape and navigate macroeconomic volatility, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological transformation. While caution defines the current outlook, workforce transformation remains the longer- term imperative for many organizations. Chief people officers emphasized the need to invest in longer-term change to navigate continued disruption and ensure organizational resilience and success. In many organizations, the people function is seen as playing a central role in designing and driving this transformation. Figure 2. Expectation for the labour market condition over the next 6-12 months Share of chief people officers surveyed Much weaker Somewhat weaker No change Somewhat stronger Much stronger Share of respondents (%)32 42 26 Source: Chief People Officers Survey. (May-June 2025). Caution is the current setting – but transformation is the long-term opportunity. Chief people officer perspective1. Talent and economy outlook 2 Indeed Hiring Lab. (2025); United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025).