Job market data
Updated Q3 2026Job Opening Trends: Vacancies by Category and Country
Where are employers hiring the most right now? This page tracks active job openings across major categories and countries, updated each quarter. Use it to spot which sectors are growing, which are cooling off, and where your skills are most in demand.
Q3 2026 vacancy overview
Select a country to see how many active job openings exist in each category. The percentage shows quarter-over-quarter change.
| Category | 🇺🇸United States | 🇬🇧United Kingdom | 🇨🇦Canada | 🇳🇬Nigeria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software & IT | 412K8.2% | 128K6.5% | 89K7.1% | 34K14.2% |
| Healthcare | 389K5.1% | 142K4.3% | 104K6.2% | 28K8.7% |
| Finance & Accounting | 198K1.3% | 87K0.8% | 47K0.5% | 21K5.1% |
| Sales & Business Dev | 174K3.7% | 64K2.1% | 38K3.3% | 19K9.3% |
| Engineering | 156K2.4% | 53K1.9% | 31K1.7% | 12K6.8% |
| Marketing & Content | 118K6.8% | 41K5.4% | 26K4.9% | 15K11.4% |
Data reflects estimated active job openings as of Q3 2026 (2026-07-01). Figures are aggregated from public job boards and labor statistics. Quarter-over-quarter change shown as percentage.
Key highlights this quarter
Fastest-growing category
Software & IT
Tech hiring continues to lead across all four countries, driven by AI/ML roles, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity demand.
Strongest growth region
Nigeria
Nigeria shows the highest quarter-over-quarter growth rates, reflecting rapid digitization and expanding tech ecosystems in Lagos and Abuja.
Contracting sector
Finance & Accounting
Finance roles are flat or declining in most markets as automation handles more routine compliance and reporting work.
What this means for your job search
High vacancy counts do not guarantee easy hiring — competition, skill requirements, and location preferences all matter. But trending data helps you make better decisions about where to focus your search:
Target growing categories
Categories with positive quarter-over-quarter growth have more openings and typically faster hiring cycles. If your skills align, prioritize these sectors.
Consider expanding your geography
Remote work makes cross-border opportunities viable. A category that is flat in one country may be surging in another. Use the country comparison to identify markets where your experience is scarce.
Tailor your resume to trending skills
Growing categories often signal shifts in required skills. If Software & IT is up 8%, the specific roles driving that growth (AI/ML, cloud, security) should influence how you position your resume.
Methodology
Vacancy estimates are aggregated from public job boards, government labor statistics, and industry reports. Categories are mapped to standardized occupation groups. Quarter-over-quarter change compares the current snapshot to the previous quarter's data. Figures represent estimated active openings at the time of publication and may not reflect filled or expired positions.
This page is refreshed quarterly. Last update: 2026-07-01.