In recent years, several MBA commentators believed that MBA education would never return to the glory years of the late 20th Century. Yet in 2007, MBA recruiter demand exceeds
the level at the height of the dot com boom and looks likely to continue its upward march.

Paul Danos, Dean of Tuck observes, "Today... applications are up for over 2/3 of all business schools and the demand for graduating MBAs is through the roof."

MBA recruiters around the world are in the midst of a battle for talent. As world growth continues, demand for MBAs is spiraling, particularly in the service sectors of consulting and banking. The TopMBA.com International MBA Recruitment and Salary Report 2007 reports on the trends in recruitment and salaries earned in the primary international markets today.

Hiring predictions from MBA recruiters suggest that MBA demand worldwide will set a new record in 2007. The TopMBA.com Index of MBA Recruiting shows for the second year in succession an overall 24% (24%) increase in demand for MBAs in 2007, with the technology sector reporting a massive 29% (20%) increase, financial services 23% (24%), general industry 24% (18%), and consulting 22% (39%).

In 2007, average MBA salaries in Western Europe have increased by a massive 6.5% (a full 4% ahead of the average European inflation rate), compared to a worldwide increase in MBA salaries of 3.5%. MBA salaries are now well in excess of the pre-downturn levels of 2001 with a North American / European average of US $ 93,400 (US $ 90,500). This increase reflects a high level of optimism amongst MBA recruiters and increased competition for the top talent. The average reported bonus is a sizeable US $ 24,100, with banks / financial services companies leading the bonus field, with an average bonus of $ 46,400.

MBA recruiters around the world have a strong preference for candidates with one to eight years of professional experience. They seek strong communication and interpersonal skills, strategic thinking and leadership skills, as well as the harder skills taught by business schools. In general, whilst they are very happy with the harder skills ingrained in MBA graduates, there is still room for improvement in terms of the softer skills.

Regionally, there is a catch up occurring in terms of demand for and salaries received by MBAs in emerging markets, compared to North America and Western Europe. Though there is still a 30% salary gap between the highest and lowest paid regions, this gap is narrowing each year.