37% — this is how many Slovak companies plan to expand their staff in the third quarter of 2026. The rest are either reducing staff or keeping things the same: according to research by ManpowerGroup, 14% of employers plan layoffs, and 48% expect no changes in staff numbers.
For those looking for a job in Slovakia, this means one simple thing: vacancies exist, but the market has become more selective. Companies are no longer hiring "just in case," as in previous years. They are hiring specifically for certain positions and qualifications.
Half of Companies Are Not Investing in Development
A broader picture is shown by a review by SME.sk: only half of Slovak firms are currently actively investing money in business development. The rest have entered a waiting mode.
Similar conclusions are being made by the Association of HR Agencies of Slovakia (APAS). According to their data, in 2026, companies are focusing not on mass staff expansion, but on three other things:
- retaining existing employees;
- increasing productivity;
- modernizing production.
Despite this, the overall labor market index according to ManpowerGroup's forecast remains positive — +23 percentage points. This means there are still more optimists among employers than pessimists. The market itself is described as tense, but with lower dynamics than before.
Employers Fight for People, Not the Other Way Around
An unusual situation has developed: it is currently more difficult for companies to find an employee than for an employee to find a job. In April 2026, the unemployment rate in Slovakia fell to 3.96%. For the first time since November 2025, it dropped below the 4% mark.
At the same time, the number of available job openings in April increased to 130,464. There were approximately 1.09 vacancies per available candidate. This is good news for job seekers: there is a choice, and employers are forced to offer better conditions to attract people.
In this situation, those who are flexible win: ready to move to another city, retrain, or learn a related profession.
Where People Are Sought, and Where Not
Employer optimism is very unevenly distributed across sectors. Hiring indexes according to ManpowerGroup:
- Construction and Real Estate — +43%. The strongest demand in the market.
- Technology and IT — +40%. Companies are actively hiring specialists.
- Automotive Industry — 0%. Virtually zero plans for staff expansion.
The zero index in the automotive industry is worth noting. The automotive sector has traditionally been one of Slovakia's largest employers, and if it freezes hiring, this will affect contractors and related industries as well. If you work or plan to work in car factories, monitor the situation in your specific company.
The overall economy is also putting pressure on sentiment. According to the Statistical Office, economic confidence in Slovakia worsened in June 2026, primarily in industry, trade, and construction. Only the service sector and consumers themselves remained more optimistic.
What Will Happen Next — and What to Do Now
In the long term, the Slovak labor market is most threatened by demographics. According to forecasts, between 180,000 and 270,000 workers could disappear from it by 2035. Companies and the state are already looking for solutions in automation and retraining of existing staff.
What this means for Ukrainians in Slovakia in practice:
- Demand for labor in construction, IT, and related fields will remain high — these are the most promising areas for job searching or retraining.
- Employers are willing to pay more for those who are already in the country and want to develop — Slovak language courses and qualification recognition (nostrifikácia of diplomas) increase your value in the market.
- In the automotive industry, it is worth being more cautious with long-term plans — the hiring index there is zero, and economic sentiment in industry is worsening.
- There are more vacancies than candidates — do not be afraid to negotiate salary and conditions, especially if you have experience or a scarce specialty.
The labor market in Slovakia in 2026 is not about mass hiring, but about targeted competition for people. And in this competition, a prepared candidate has a real advantage.
