The technology sector in Portugal shows more vigorous recruitment intentions in 2026, which is what reveals the Experis, global consultancy in recruitment, selection and technological talent management solutions, in its Experis Tech Talent Outlook.
According to the report from the brand owned and operated by ManpowerGroup, the projection for net job creation stands at +36% for the first quarter, a result that places Portugal in 9th place among the countries with the most optimistic expectations, slightly above the global average.
The majority of companies contacted (59%) plan to increase teams in the next quarter, 26% expect to maintain staff and 10% anticipate reductions.
The growth in the number of employees is mainly explained by the expansion of organizations — motivated by new projects or temporary initiatives (48%) — and by the reinforcement resulting from the growth of the company itself (44%). The opening of new areas also represents a relevant share (32%).
Furthermore, technological advances are increasing the demand for specialized roles, reflected in the increase in employers reporting this reason compared to the previous quarter.
In the reductions chapter, automation and process optimization emerge as the main drivers of headcount reduction (33%), a value above the national average for all sectors. Reorganization processes or downsizing have the same weight.
Unlike other sectors, IT companies in Portugal do not point to macroeconomic problems as a cause for cuts, although 17% mention market changes.
At a global level, IT remains the sector with the highest projection (+35%), despite a slight slowdown compared to previous quarters. Countries such as Brazil, Peru and India have particularly strong expectations, while Slovakia and Romania report less favorable intentions.