GITNUXREPORT 2026

Hiring Statistics

Recent graduates face high unemployment while tech, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors urgently hire skilled workers.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

In 2023, 75% of Fortune 500 companies had dedicated DEI hiring programs.

Statistic 2

Women held only 28% of tech hiring manager positions in U.S. firms in 2023.

Statistic 3

Black applicants received 36% fewer callbacks than white applicants with identical resumes in 2023 studies.

Statistic 4

In 2023, 62% of companies reported improved hiring diversity after blind resume screening.

Statistic 5

LGBTQ+ candidates were 15% less likely to be hired in conservative industries in 2023.

Statistic 6

In 2023, neurodiverse hiring initiatives reached 22% adoption in large U.S. corporations.

Statistic 7

Hispanic/Latino representation in executive hiring grew by 8% in 2023.

Statistic 8

In 2023, 48% of firms used DEI metrics in hiring bonuses for recruiters.

Statistic 9

Women in STEM hiring increased to 35% globally in 2023 from 29% in 2020.

Statistic 10

Disabled candidates faced 50% longer hiring processes in 2023 audits.

Statistic 11

In 2023, Asian American hiring in leadership roles rose 12% in tech.

Statistic 12

55% of companies saw higher retention from diverse hiring slates in 2023.

Statistic 13

Indigenous workers comprised just 2% of hires in Australian mining in 2023.

Statistic 14

In 2023, 40% of EU firms mandated gender quotas in hiring panels.

Statistic 15

Veteran hiring reached 14% of U.S. corporate targets in 2023.

Statistic 16

Veteran hiring callbacks were 11% lower despite qualifications in 2023.

Statistic 17

In 2023, 53% of firms tracked pay equity in diverse hires.

Statistic 18

Older workers (55+) saw 22% hiring increase in retail 2023.

Statistic 19

68% of companies adopted AI screening, reducing time-to-hire by 30% in 2023.

Statistic 20

Chatbots handled 75% of initial applicant queries in 2023.

Statistic 21

VR interviews were used by 12% of tech firms for remote assessment in 2023.

Statistic 22

Predictive analytics forecasted 85% accuracy in candidate success in 2023.

Statistic 23

Blockchain verified 40% of credentials in hiring processes in 2023 pilots.

Statistic 24

Skills-based hiring via AI rose to 55% adoption in 2023.

Statistic 25

Metaverse job fairs attracted 20,000 candidates per event in 2023.

Statistic 26

Sentiment analysis on resumes improved fit scores by 25% in 2023.

Statistic 27

62% of recruiters used gamified assessments in 2023.

Statistic 28

Quantum computing optimized scheduling for 5% of large firms in 2023.

Statistic 29

NLP parsed 90% of unstructured resumes automatically in 2023 tools.

Statistic 30

AR previews of workspaces boosted offer rates by 18% in 2023.

Statistic 31

35% of hires were gig-to-permanent via platforms like Upwork in 2023.

Statistic 32

Digital twins simulated team dynamics for 8% of executive hires in 2023.

Statistic 33

Voice AI interviews assessed soft skills with 82% accuracy in 2023.

Statistic 34

50% of Fortune 100 used ATS with GenAI for job descriptions in 2023.

Statistic 35

Robotic process automation cut admin time by 60% in onboarding 2023.

Statistic 36

In 2023, the U.S. unemployment rate for recent college graduates aged 22-27 stood at 5.4%, higher than the national average of 3.8%, highlighting challenges in entry-level hiring.

Statistic 37

Globally, 41% of companies reported increased hiring in tech roles in 2023, driven by AI demand, up from 32% in 2022.

Statistic 38

In Europe, 68% of employers faced hiring difficulties for skilled trades in 2023, compared to 55% in 2022.

Statistic 39

India's IT sector hired 150,000 freshers in 2023, a 20% decline from 2022 due to layoffs.

Statistic 40

In 2023, 52% of U.S. companies planned to increase hiring for hybrid roles combining tech and business skills.

Statistic 41

Australia's hiring for healthcare roles grew by 15% in 2023, with nurse shortages at 50,000 positions.

Statistic 42

In 2023, Brazil's manufacturing sector saw a 12% rise in hiring, fueled by post-pandemic recovery.

Statistic 43

China's tech hiring slowed to 8% growth in 2023 from 25% in 2021, amid economic pressures.

Statistic 44

In 2023, 37% of Canadian firms reported talent shortages in cybersecurity, up from 28% in 2022.

Statistic 45

South Africa's unemployment rate hit 32.9% in Q4 2023, making graduate hiring 40% below pre-COVID levels.

Statistic 46

In 2023, U.S. companies hired 4.2 million workers in leisure and hospitality, a record high.

Statistic 47

Japan's hiring for foreign workers increased by 25% in 2023 to address labor shortages in aging population.

Statistic 48

In 2023, 45% of UK employers used apprenticeships to fill skill gaps, up 10% from 2022.

Statistic 49

Mexico's nearshoring boom led to 200,000 new manufacturing jobs in 2023.

Statistic 50

In 2023, Germany's automotive sector hired 50,000 engineers amid EV transition.

Statistic 51

Singapore's finance sector saw 18% hiring growth in fintech roles in 2023.

Statistic 52

In 2023, France's green energy hiring rose 30%, creating 100,000 jobs.

Statistic 53

Nigeria's tech hiring doubled to 10,000 roles in 2023, driven by startups.

Statistic 54

In 2023, Sweden's IT hiring increased by 22% for software developers.

Statistic 55

UAE's construction hiring surged 35% in 2023 due to Expo 2020 legacy projects.

Statistic 56

In 2023, 29% of global hires were remote, down from 35% in 2022.

Statistic 57

U.S. construction hiring shortages affected 382,000 positions in 2023.

Statistic 58

In 2023, 71% of companies accelerated hiring for sustainability roles.

Statistic 59

In 2023, average time-to-hire was 44 days globally, up 10% from 2022.

Statistic 60

U.S. cost-per-hire averaged $4,700 in 2023 for professional roles.

Statistic 61

In 2023, quality-of-hire score averaged 72% based on 18-month performance.

Statistic 62

Offer acceptance rate fell to 82% in 2023 amid competitive markets.

Statistic 63

In 2023, sourcing cost was 20% of total hiring expenses.

Statistic 64

Retention rate after 90 days was 91% for top-tier hires in 2023.

Statistic 65

In 2023, executive search fees averaged 28% of first-year salary.

Statistic 66

Applicant-to-interview ratio was 1:12 in 2023 for tech jobs.

Statistic 67

In 2023, diversity hire yield ratio improved to 1:8 from 1:15.

Statistic 68

Cost-to-interview ratio hit $512 per candidate in 2023.

Statistic 69

In 2023, hire velocity measured 15 days from interview to offer.

Statistic 70

Pipeline conversion rate was 4.2% from apply to hire in 2023.

Statistic 71

In 2023, total hiring budget rose 12% to $15,000 per role on average.

Statistic 72

Source-of-hire ROI was highest at 1.8x for referrals in 2023.

Statistic 73

In 2023, 27% of hires required counteroffers, costing 15% salary bumps.

Statistic 74

In 2023, time-to-hire for executives averaged 112 days.

Statistic 75

Cost-per-hire for sales roles was $3,200 in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 76

In 2023, 67% of hires came from employee referrals, highest sourcing channel.

Statistic 77

LinkedIn was used by 87% of recruiters for sourcing in 2023.

Statistic 78

In 2023, 45% of companies relied on AI tools for candidate sourcing.

Statistic 79

University career fairs sourced 22% of entry-level hires in 2023.

Statistic 80

Social media sourcing yielded 18% higher quality hires in 2023 benchmarks.

Statistic 81

In 2023, 33% of sourcing was internal mobility promotions.

Statistic 82

Job boards like Indeed accounted for 25% of mid-level sourcing in 2023.

Statistic 83

In 2023, 52% of tech sourcing used GitHub profiles.

Statistic 84

Agency recruiters filled 15% of executive roles in 2023.

Statistic 85

In 2023, 28% of hires came from networking events post-pandemic.

Statistic 86

Boolean search strings improved sourcing efficiency by 40% in 2023.

Statistic 87

In 2023, 60% of Gen Z sourcing was via TikTok and Instagram.

Statistic 88

Diversity job boards sourced 12% more underrepresented candidates in 2023.

Statistic 89

In 2023, predictive sourcing analytics boosted match rates by 35%.

Statistic 90

41% of recruiters used video interviews for initial sourcing in 2023.

Statistic 91

In 2023, alumni networks sourced 19% of corporate hires.

Statistic 92

Podcast sponsorships emerged as 5% sourcing channel for niche roles in 2023.

Statistic 93

78% of hires sourced via mobile apps in 2023 for hourly roles.

Statistic 94

In 2023, 39% drop-off rate at application stage due to length.

Statistic 95

Headhunters filled 22% of C-suite sourcing in finance 2023.

1/95

Sources

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As the global hiring landscape fractures into a story of stark contrasts—where record-breaking demand in sectors like AI and healthcare collides with persistent barriers for graduates and diverse talent—navigating the modern recruitment maze requires a map built on hard data and human insight.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, the U.S. unemployment rate for recent college graduates aged 22-27 stood at 5.4%, higher than the national average of 3.8%, highlighting challenges in entry-level hiring.
Globally, 41% of companies reported increased hiring in tech roles in 2023, driven by AI demand, up from 32% in 2022.
In Europe, 68% of employers faced hiring difficulties for skilled trades in 2023, compared to 55% in 2022.
In 2023, 75% of Fortune 500 companies had dedicated DEI hiring programs.
Women held only 28% of tech hiring manager positions in U.S. firms in 2023.
Black applicants received 36% fewer callbacks than white applicants with identical resumes in 2023 studies.
In 2023, 67% of hires came from employee referrals, highest sourcing channel.
LinkedIn was used by 87% of recruiters for sourcing in 2023.
In 2023, 45% of companies relied on AI tools for candidate sourcing.
In 2023, average time-to-hire was 44 days globally, up 10% from 2022.
U.S. cost-per-hire averaged $4,700 in 2023 for professional roles.
In 2023, quality-of-hire score averaged 72% based on 18-month performance.
68% of companies adopted AI screening, reducing time-to-hire by 30% in 2023.
Chatbots handled 75% of initial applicant queries in 2023.
VR interviews were used by 12% of tech firms for remote assessment in 2023.

Recent graduates face high unemployment while tech, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors urgently hire skilled workers.

Diversity in Hiring

In 2023, 75% of Fortune 500 companies had dedicated DEI hiring programs.
Women held only 28% of tech hiring manager positions in U.S. firms in 2023.
Black applicants received 36% fewer callbacks than white applicants with identical resumes in 2023 studies.
In 2023, 62% of companies reported improved hiring diversity after blind resume screening.
LGBTQ+ candidates were 15% less likely to be hired in conservative industries in 2023.
In 2023, neurodiverse hiring initiatives reached 22% adoption in large U.S. corporations.
Hispanic/Latino representation in executive hiring grew by 8% in 2023.
In 2023, 48% of firms used DEI metrics in hiring bonuses for recruiters.
Women in STEM hiring increased to 35% globally in 2023 from 29% in 2020.
Disabled candidates faced 50% longer hiring processes in 2023 audits.
In 2023, Asian American hiring in leadership roles rose 12% in tech.
55% of companies saw higher retention from diverse hiring slates in 2023.
Indigenous workers comprised just 2% of hires in Australian mining in 2023.
In 2023, 40% of EU firms mandated gender quotas in hiring panels.
Veteran hiring reached 14% of U.S. corporate targets in 2023.
Veteran hiring callbacks were 11% lower despite qualifications in 2023.
In 2023, 53% of firms tracked pay equity in diverse hires.
Older workers (55+) saw 22% hiring increase in retail 2023.

Diversity in Hiring Interpretation

The corporate world's 2023 DEI report card reads: "We've solemnly opened the textbook on fairness and are doggedly, if clumsily, trying to copy the answers from the smart kids, with our progress hilariously and tragically punctuated by our own persistent, underlined mistakes."

Future of Hiring and Technology

68% of companies adopted AI screening, reducing time-to-hire by 30% in 2023.
Chatbots handled 75% of initial applicant queries in 2023.
VR interviews were used by 12% of tech firms for remote assessment in 2023.
Predictive analytics forecasted 85% accuracy in candidate success in 2023.
Blockchain verified 40% of credentials in hiring processes in 2023 pilots.
Skills-based hiring via AI rose to 55% adoption in 2023.
Metaverse job fairs attracted 20,000 candidates per event in 2023.
Sentiment analysis on resumes improved fit scores by 25% in 2023.
62% of recruiters used gamified assessments in 2023.
Quantum computing optimized scheduling for 5% of large firms in 2023.
NLP parsed 90% of unstructured resumes automatically in 2023 tools.
AR previews of workspaces boosted offer rates by 18% in 2023.
35% of hires were gig-to-permanent via platforms like Upwork in 2023.
Digital twins simulated team dynamics for 8% of executive hires in 2023.
Voice AI interviews assessed soft skills with 82% accuracy in 2023.
50% of Fortune 100 used ATS with GenAI for job descriptions in 2023.
Robotic process automation cut admin time by 60% in onboarding 2023.

Future of Hiring and Technology Interpretation

The hiring process is now a high-tech circus where AI clowns screen your resume, chatbots answer your questions, and VR might interview you—all while blockchain watches your credentials and predictive analytics bets on your future, proving the future of work is less about handshakes and more about algorithms proving you're not a robot (though they might hire one).

Global Hiring Trends

In 2023, the U.S. unemployment rate for recent college graduates aged 22-27 stood at 5.4%, higher than the national average of 3.8%, highlighting challenges in entry-level hiring.
Globally, 41% of companies reported increased hiring in tech roles in 2023, driven by AI demand, up from 32% in 2022.
In Europe, 68% of employers faced hiring difficulties for skilled trades in 2023, compared to 55% in 2022.
India's IT sector hired 150,000 freshers in 2023, a 20% decline from 2022 due to layoffs.
In 2023, 52% of U.S. companies planned to increase hiring for hybrid roles combining tech and business skills.
Australia's hiring for healthcare roles grew by 15% in 2023, with nurse shortages at 50,000 positions.
In 2023, Brazil's manufacturing sector saw a 12% rise in hiring, fueled by post-pandemic recovery.
China's tech hiring slowed to 8% growth in 2023 from 25% in 2021, amid economic pressures.
In 2023, 37% of Canadian firms reported talent shortages in cybersecurity, up from 28% in 2022.
South Africa's unemployment rate hit 32.9% in Q4 2023, making graduate hiring 40% below pre-COVID levels.
In 2023, U.S. companies hired 4.2 million workers in leisure and hospitality, a record high.
Japan's hiring for foreign workers increased by 25% in 2023 to address labor shortages in aging population.
In 2023, 45% of UK employers used apprenticeships to fill skill gaps, up 10% from 2022.
Mexico's nearshoring boom led to 200,000 new manufacturing jobs in 2023.
In 2023, Germany's automotive sector hired 50,000 engineers amid EV transition.
Singapore's finance sector saw 18% hiring growth in fintech roles in 2023.
In 2023, France's green energy hiring rose 30%, creating 100,000 jobs.
Nigeria's tech hiring doubled to 10,000 roles in 2023, driven by startups.
In 2023, Sweden's IT hiring increased by 22% for software developers.
UAE's construction hiring surged 35% in 2023 due to Expo 2020 legacy projects.
In 2023, 29% of global hires were remote, down from 35% in 2022.
U.S. construction hiring shortages affected 382,000 positions in 2023.
In 2023, 71% of companies accelerated hiring for sustainability roles.

Global Hiring Trends Interpretation

The global job market in 2023 was a tale of two extremes, where booming fields like AI and healthcare couldn't quite mask the stark reality of stubborn shortages, regional slumps, and a generation of new graduates finding the welcome mat pulled in a bit too quickly.

Hiring Metrics and Costs

In 2023, average time-to-hire was 44 days globally, up 10% from 2022.
U.S. cost-per-hire averaged $4,700 in 2023 for professional roles.
In 2023, quality-of-hire score averaged 72% based on 18-month performance.
Offer acceptance rate fell to 82% in 2023 amid competitive markets.
In 2023, sourcing cost was 20% of total hiring expenses.
Retention rate after 90 days was 91% for top-tier hires in 2023.
In 2023, executive search fees averaged 28% of first-year salary.
Applicant-to-interview ratio was 1:12 in 2023 for tech jobs.
In 2023, diversity hire yield ratio improved to 1:8 from 1:15.
Cost-to-interview ratio hit $512 per candidate in 2023.
In 2023, hire velocity measured 15 days from interview to offer.
Pipeline conversion rate was 4.2% from apply to hire in 2023.
In 2023, total hiring budget rose 12% to $15,000 per role on average.
Source-of-hire ROI was highest at 1.8x for referrals in 2023.
In 2023, 27% of hires required counteroffers, costing 15% salary bumps.
In 2023, time-to-hire for executives averaged 112 days.
Cost-per-hire for sales roles was $3,200 in U.S. 2023.

Hiring Metrics and Costs Interpretation

Despite spending more money and time than ever to court increasingly picky talent, companies are finding that their hiring process has become a high-stakes, slow-motion auction where securing a top candidate feels less like a victory and more like a costly negotiated surrender.

Recruitment and Sourcing

In 2023, 67% of hires came from employee referrals, highest sourcing channel.
LinkedIn was used by 87% of recruiters for sourcing in 2023.
In 2023, 45% of companies relied on AI tools for candidate sourcing.
University career fairs sourced 22% of entry-level hires in 2023.
Social media sourcing yielded 18% higher quality hires in 2023 benchmarks.
In 2023, 33% of sourcing was internal mobility promotions.
Job boards like Indeed accounted for 25% of mid-level sourcing in 2023.
In 2023, 52% of tech sourcing used GitHub profiles.
Agency recruiters filled 15% of executive roles in 2023.
In 2023, 28% of hires came from networking events post-pandemic.
Boolean search strings improved sourcing efficiency by 40% in 2023.
In 2023, 60% of Gen Z sourcing was via TikTok and Instagram.
Diversity job boards sourced 12% more underrepresented candidates in 2023.
In 2023, predictive sourcing analytics boosted match rates by 35%.
41% of recruiters used video interviews for initial sourcing in 2023.
In 2023, alumni networks sourced 19% of corporate hires.
Podcast sponsorships emerged as 5% sourcing channel for niche roles in 2023.
78% of hires sourced via mobile apps in 2023 for hourly roles.
In 2023, 39% drop-off rate at application stage due to length.
Headhunters filled 22% of C-suite sourcing in finance 2023.

Recruitment and Sourcing Interpretation

The modern recruiter's toolbox now seems to be an artful, data-driven blend of AI scanning our GitHub, LinkedIn stalking our networks, and a sobering reliance on the fact that most great hires still come from friends telling friends, all while desperately trying not to lose candidates with a long application form.