US Companies Say They Plan to Accelerate Global Hiring Despite Hurdles

Why It Matters

The trend reshapes talent supply chains, forcing firms to redesign hiring models and address emerging skill gaps, which will influence global competitiveness and cost structures.

Key Takeaways

• 49% find international talent acquisition extremely challenging
• 69% struggle to keep global workforce engaged
• 67% US firms accelerate hiring despite immigration uncertainty
• Explore Middle East, Africa for untapped talent pools
• AI skill shortages exceed engineering talent gaps worldwide

Pulse Analysis

The 2026 Atlas HXM Global Atlas Report reveals a paradox: companies are eager to expand internationally even as they confront a talent scarcity that rivals pre‑pandemic levels. Survey data from 425 senior leaders across the U.S., U.K., Canada, the Netherlands and Ireland shows that 49% consider sourcing and retaining overseas talent very or extremely challenging. This friction is amplified by AI adoption, which is reshaping job requirements faster than traditional education pipelines can supply qualified candidates. As a result, HR leaders are forced to rethink sourcing strategies and prioritize flexibility over conventional visa‑dependent models.

Employee engagement has emerged as a critical bottleneck in the global workforce. With 69% of respondents reporting difficulty keeping remote, culturally diverse teams motivated, issues like high turnover, job‑hopping, and burnout are eroding productivity. Time‑zone disparities and divergent workplace norms further fragment collaboration, demanding new engagement frameworks that blend technology, localized leadership, and continuous feedback loops. Companies that invest in culturally aware management practices and adaptable work structures are better positioned to retain talent and sustain performance across borders.

In response to these pressures, analysts recommend shifting focus toward under‑penetrated labor markets such as the Middle East, North Africa, and sub‑Saharan Africa, where talent pools remain relatively untapped. Coupled with the acute shortage of AI and advanced digital skills—identified by ManpowerGroup as the most difficult competencies to source globally—this geographic diversification offers a dual advantage: mitigating talent scarcity and reducing reliance on oversaturated regions like Canada and Western Europe. Firms that realign their hiring playbooks to incorporate these emerging markets and skill sets will gain a competitive edge in the evolving international labor landscape.