Industry News

In October 2023, the ECSSA State of the Industry Barometer unveiled a consolidated index of 89.9, indicating an overarching pessimism prevailing throughout Europe. This figure represents a significant 4.4 index point drop compared to the previous quarter, continuing the downward trend in the European market.

“These findings underscore the nuanced challenges and opportunities that define the multifaceted nature of the European Search and Selection Market,” remarks Valerie Schena Ehrenberger, President of ECSSA. "The decline observed in certain European countries indicates possible hurdles and uncertainties, emphasizing the need for industry participants to proceed with prudence in the current market environment.”

Currently, the ECSSA barometer  stands at an index value of 89.9.

The level of business activity of the recruitment consultancy industry requires a finely-tuned steering given the frequency and reactivity with which it is evolving. That is why the index supplied by the barometer of the European Executive Recruitment market, created by ECSSA in 2010, offers a tool that makes it possible to anticipate the industry’s short-term and mid-term developments.

This quarterly index is the result of a mathematical calculation based on the German Ifo Index integrating two quality factors:

• the perception of the current situation as experienced by Recruiters
• their estimation of the short-term trends.

It makes it possible to draw lessons at two levels:

• the evolution of the situation of each respondent country over time,
• the difference in the evolution of each ECSSA member country.

Note: The index values since October 2023 are standardised to the average for 2019. An index value of 100 means that the current business climate index, i.e. the mood in consulting, is at exactly the same level as in 2019.

For questions and comments regarding the European business climate index please contact the Secretary General of ECSSA, Jörg Murmann (info@ecssa.org)