According to The Hudson Report, China continues to report the highest expectations, with 30% forecasting headcount growth this quarter but the proportion of respondents expecting to cut staff has risen from 8% in Q1 2009 to 21%. Hong Kong expectations to hire are lowest since The Hudson Report began in Q4 1998, to just 14% this quarter. Singapore expectations are also falling less sharply than in recent quarters: 20% will grow headcount in Q2 2009 compared with 23% the previous quarter. Around half of the employers surveyed in all four markets have cut HR-related costs in the last six months. Reducing headcount is the most widely implemented cost-cutting initiative, followed by lower bonus payments.
