Worldwide IT spending will total $3.6 trillion in 2011, which may be accompanied by a substantial rise in contractor and freelancer opportunities.

Spending growth will exceed five per cent this year, according to Gartner forecasts, although currency exchange fluctuations may continue to hamper the decisions taken by a number of organisations.

Telecoms IT contractors could see the most job opportunities, with this sector expected to see the most growth.

Commenting on the forecasts, Gartner research vice-president Richard Gordon said: "As well as a fundamental enabler of cost reduction and cost optimization, investment in IT is seen increasingly as an important element in business growth strategies.

"As the global economy repairs itself in coming years, we are optimistic about continued healthy spending on IT."

There is expected to be significant growth in the Indian IT sector, with recent data from Gartner suggesting that there will be 13.2 million PC unit shipments in 2011, which is 24.7 per cent higher than last year.