Industry News

ECSSA Business CLimate Index - May 2026

In the Spring Survey 2026, the European Search and Selection market remains largely stable. The European overall index rises slightly from 86.4 points in Autumn 2025 to 86.9 points in Spring 2026.

The European development is mainly driven by improvements in Belgium, France and Spain. Belgium records the strongest increase, with its index rising from 79 points to 86 points. France also improves noticeably, increasing from 81 points to 85 points. Spain continues its positive trend and reaches the highest national index value among all surveyed countries at 89 points.

By contrast, Germany, Italy and Luxembourg report slight declines compared to the previous quarter. Italy nevertheless remains at a comparatively high level with an index of 89 points, while Luxembourg records the lowest national index value at 84 points.

Results of the ECSSA Barometer May 2026

ECSSA-Barometer May 2026.pdf

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ECSSA State of the Search & Selection Industry Barometer

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 ([email protected])