Older and youngest workers vulnerable if hiring stalls

Rising unemployment would hit different sectors and demographics unevenly, an academic says. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

A hiring slowdown is expected to hit young people, older workers and women hardest, experts warn as fresh forecasts point to more deterioration in the labour market.

The Australian jobs market has proved resilient to souring economic conditions, though Deloitte Access Economics partner David Rumbens said evidence of a weak economy was "finally bleeding through".