LinkedIn Economic Confidence Outlook

A survey of over 14,000 LinkedIn members who are senior business leaders worldwide from countries representing

approximately two-thirds of global economic output

The majority of business leaders appear more confident in the global economy’s immediate future than that of their own country’s economy

Confidence among senior business leaders around the globe is mixed, both in terms of national outlook and global outlook. Even among those business leaders who have confidence in a global economic recovery, most leaders are concerned that their own country may be left behind.

The Findings

The Bottom Line

Saying Global Economy will get better in the next 6months

Saying Home Country Economy will get better in the next 6months

Despite experiencing an extended period of economic turmoil, Europe is home to four markets with the highest percentage of business leaders who are confident about the immediate economic future of their national economy and global economy.

41%24%

56%46%

34%17%

42%38%

42%26%

39%20%

45%50%

51%52%

49%39%

43%47%

58%52%

47%29%

42%47%

The outlook for hiring is mixed. While business leaders in India, China and the UK have the highest confidence of increased hiring, there are six markets where more than one-in-five business leaders believe they will decrease staff in the next year.

IncreaseDecrease

The industries with the strongest confidence that hiring will increase in the next year include Technology (software), Profes-sional Services*, and Architecture and Engineering. Media and Retail were lowest in terms of net confidence, but still positive.

The survey was conducted in Q1 2014 among LinkedIn members director-level and

above across Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy,

Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the

United States. *Professional Services includes Consulting, Legal Services, Accounting,

Real Estate, PR/Communications, Advertising.

63%59%

71%68%

71%75%

ABOUT THE DATA

Brazil

JapanGermanySwitzerlandItalyIndiaBelgium

SwedenSpainNetherlandsUnited Kingdom

FranceAustraliaChinaCanadaUnited States

58%52%

63%59%

71%68%

71%75%

SwedenSpainNetherlandsUnited Kingdom

IncreaseDecrease

First Quarter 2014

Professional Services