The figure is six percentage points below that from the first quarter of the year and 12 points below the second quarter of 2017.

The fall can be largely attributed to last year's record hiring, which will be hard to match, Manpower Slovenija director Robert Vovk told the STA.

"Of course, it is also a result of many other factors, including national and global policies, which are already partly reflected in employers being more reserved."

According to the survey, 15% of the 620 employers surveyed plan more hiring, no employer expects a drop in hiring, and 81% expect no change in their headcount.

Meanwhile, growth is expected in all ten industries in Slovenia.

Employers in manufacturing and in transport, logistics and communications are the most optimistic, both anticipating a rise of 16%.

However, employers in nine industries expect to hire fewer workers than in the first quarter, with the sharpest fall expected in retail and wholesale (-13 pp).

A similar trend was noticed at the annual level, with the hospitality sector anticipating the sharpest drop of as much as 33 points.

Large companies reported a +23% employment outlook, small companies +11% and medium-sized companies +9%.

Slovenia is one of 26 countries from the region covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa which takes part in the Manpower survey.