European Software, IT services & Payments: Broadly stable hiring – limited signs of AI reset

Research evidence excerpt

European Software, IT services & Payments: Broadly stable hiring – limited signs of AI reset

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European Software, IT services & Payments

Broadly stable hiring – limited signs of AI

reset

Industry Overview

Software hiring down 3% YoY – no signs of big AI reset 22 June 2026

Overall hiring appetite remains subdued, with sector job postings down c.3% YoY, albeit Equity

c.2% above levels six months ago. Following a substantial restructuring in 2024, SAP Europe

saw a pick-up in hiring activity, but this has evolved into a more selective and targeted Software & IT services

approach, with overall hiring levels c.11% lower on a YoY basis in our analysis this time. Frederic Boulan, CFA >>

c.56% of companies have reduced hiring YoY: SGE, NETC, WLN, AMS, TEMN and Research Analyst

ADYEN, in addition to SAP, are demonstrating a more cautious stance on recruitment MLI+44 (UK)20 7995 7101

following a phase of strong hiring during 2024–25, supported by productivity gains in frederic.boulan@bofa.com

software development. This stands in contrast to stronger hiring trends observed at Aditya Buddhavarapu, CFA >>

Research Analyst

SABR, SINCH, TMV, NEM and DSY. MLI (UK)

+44 20 7995 7318

AI efficiency in software changing hiring patterns aditya.buddhavarapu@bofa.com

Victor Cheng, CFA >>

AI hiring intentions remain nascent with only SAP currently hiring for AI-related roles at Research Analyst

a meaningful scale. However, AI is starting to impact the mix of hiring, with Tech and MLI (UK)

+44 20 7996 0272

R&D hiring 8% below average vs 9% above for sales and marketing ( See Exhibit 12). We victor.cheng@bofa.com

list over 20 companies in US and European Tech having announced lay-offs in 2026, Carla Courthial >>

with AI being the primary reason.