September Hiring Slows Amid US Government Shutdown Impact

The labor market showed signs of cooling in September, with the government shutdown delaying the official jobs report. Real-time data from Indeed indicated a 2.5% decline in job postings from the previous month and a slowing of annual wage growth, which could challenge consumers facing rising living costs. In India, the tech sector experienced a significant slowdown in talent demand, with active job openings dropping 27% year-over-year, particularly affecting mid-junior level roles and major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, while smaller cities saw some growth in tech jobs. Similarly, the creator economy faced a notable contraction in hiring, with job listings falling for a second consecutive quarter and a shift toward prioritizing talent management and monetization over technical expansion. These trends reflect a broader global softening in hiring, especially in tech and creator sectors, amid economic uncertainty and evolving business strategies.