The net employment outlook is at +13%, which is a slight improvement on the previous quarter and at the same level as a year ago.

The net outlook is the product of 11% of the employers surveyed planning additional hiring, 2% planning staff cuts and 81% forecasting their headcount will remain unchanged.

The trend is positive across all ten industries and four regions included in what is a survey of 620 employers.

The manufacturing industry is particularly optimistic, as the net outlook there is +23%. The electricity, water and steam supply industry is on the other end of the spectrum with +7%.

"Employers have been reporting about positive employment trends throughout the year, which shows the continuation of trust in the stability of the labour market," said Manpower Slovenija director Robert Vovk.

However, he said that the gap between the expectations of candidates for jobs and of employers remained wide, which "causes imbalances in the local job market".