Source page: McKinsey & Company
Commentary
Economic optimism vs job jitters
Economy | Surveys
July 25, 2024 – Compared with 2023, executives and managers this year are more optimistic about where the global economy is headed, according to the latest McKinsey Global Survey. Yet, while those surveyed say that the conditions in their home country are improving, a higher proportion compared with March anticipate their unemployment will increase. A bigger share of respondents in Greater China compared with other regions noted this sentiment, though there are also fast-growing concerns elsewhere in the world, report senior partner Sven Smit and coauthors. Compared with the March survey results, the biggest increase is seen in Asia–Pacific, while India was the only country where a smaller proportion of respondents expect unemployment to rise.
To read the survey, see “Economic conditions outlook, June 2024,” June 27, 2024.
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Visual form
Region-comparison step and column hybrid chart.
Layout / body structure
The graphic reads from left to right across six regional groupings, with each category shown as a filled vertical block capped by a dot and a short connecting line segment where two time points are shown.
What is being compared
It compares the share of respondents expecting unemployment in their countries to increase over the next six months across regions, with Greater China showing a March-to-June comparison and the other regions shown at their current level.
Measurement system
The values are percentages by office location, printed directly above each point, so the reader tracks labeled regional percentages rather than reading off a dense axis grid.
Visible structure inside the graphic
Each region has a light blue filled column rising from the baseline to the latest point, a circular marker at the top, and, where applicable, a connecting segment that shows change between two survey moments.
Main takeaway from the visual
Across multiple regions the expectation of rising unemployment is already high, and in Greater China the measure edges even higher between March and June, reinforcing the page’s contrast between broader economic optimism and job-market nerves.
Key standout values or extremes
Greater China moves from 50 percent in March 2024 to 51 percent in June 2024, Asia-Pacific rises from 21 to 40, developing markets from 25 to 39, Europe from 31 to 39, North America from 32 to 39, and India eases from 36 to 32.
Controls / sequence, when applicable
This is a static chart image with no in-chart controls to operate.
Companion media, when applicable
There is no separate companion audio or video; the chart image is the full visual on this page.