Forecasts for 2026 indicate optimism across most sectors of the Czech economy. Despite various external influences, manufacturing remains the core driver of national growth. According to recent studies, the Czech Republic will require more employees in 2026, particularly in this key sectors.

Supported by the government initiatives and ethical work placement standards, these developments create promising job opportunities for Filipino Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) seeking employment in the Czech Republic. CzechTrade encourages collaboration to facilitate skilled labor mobility while upholding fair practices.

Ondrej Puchinger – Director CzechTrade Philippines

Prague - Employers plan to hire significantly more than lay off employees in the first quarter of 2026, making it the most positive first quarter since measurements began in 2008. This is according to a regular survey conducted by ManpowerGroup among 518 employers in the private and public sectors in the Czech Republic, which company representatives presented at a press conference. The companies planning to hire the most are in the finance and insurance, automotive, and technology sectors. Jaroslav Tupý, analyst at Purple Trading, told Forbes CZ: “The Czech crown is still benefiting from positive sentiment on financial markets…which plays into the hands of Czech crown traders. Given that both the CNB and the European Central Bank are now favoring a hawkish policy and will not be lowering their interest rates for some time, this interest rate advantage will continue to help the crown keep its strength.”

According to the survey, 38 percent of companies plan to hire employees in the coming quarter, which is eight percentage points more than in the previous quarter. The share of companies planning layoffs increased by two percentage points compared to the fourth quarter, to 18 percent. The net labor market index, i.e., the difference between the proportion of employees hired and laid off, is thus 20 percentage points. This is six points more than in the fourth quarter of this year and nine points more than in the first quarter of this year.

The Czech economy is undergoing a transformation and is gradually shifting from manufacturing to services. However, the labor market shows no signs of large-scale layoffs, but rather a selective downturn in sectors undergoing technological and structural change, particularly in the manufacturing industry according to Mrs. Jaroslava Rezlerová, director of ManpowerGroup Czech Republic. She added that laid-off workers have found new jobs in other sectors where the number of employees is growing faster.

According to Mrs. Rezlerová, the start of 2026 will be characterized by a combination of continued moderate economic growth, slightly higher unemployment, and a persistent shortage of people with the necessary skills. Companies will be more likely to regroup their capacities than to reduce their workforce. Pressure on recruitment, retraining, and labor migration will continue to intensify, she added.

The strongest sector is finance and insurance, with an index of 36 points, representing an increase of 11 points quarter-on-quarter. This is followed by the automotive industry and professional, scientific, and technical activities, with 29 points. The next quarter is special for the construction and real estate sector, which, after seasonal adjustment, shows the strongest index since measurements began in 2008. It also records the highest quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year increase in the index. The least optimistic sectors are information and communication services, energy, public services and natural resources, and the public sector, health, and social services.

The most optimistic are employers in medium-sized companies with 250 to 999 employees, with an index of 33. These organizations strengthened by 15 points compared to the previous quarter. They are followed by small organizations with 50 to 249 employees, with an index of 22. The least optimistic are large companies with 1,000 to 4,999 employees, with an index of 8.

In terms of increasing the number of employees, companies in Moravia are the most optimistic with an index of 25, which is the highest value since measurements began in 2008. They are followed by Bohemia with an index of 18, and Prague, which was the most optimistic until 2024, is in last place with an index of 16.

Written by: ČTK