Singapore’s Q3 hiring outlook holds steady amid global uncertainty
- Josephine Tan
- Topics: Home Page - News, Mobility, News, Singapore
Singapore’s hiring market is holding steady for the third quarter of 2025, with employers demonstrating resilience as they navigate global economic headwinds. The latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey revealed a healthy Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of +24%, confirming sustained confidence in the local labour market despite a minor three-point dip from the previous quarter.
The report, which surveyed 525 employers, indicated that 43% plan to increase their headcount, while 19% foresee a decrease. The resulting outlook, which marks a four-point improvement year-over-year, suggests a strategic pause rather than a downturn.
Linda Teo, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore, noted a shift towards greater workforce agility. “Employers are holding on to their talent while strategically investing in future-proofing their workforces, adopting a wait-and-see approach to the global trade environment,” she commented.
Company expansion and the need for new skills continue to be the primary drivers of staffing increases. Across the board, all industries report a positive outlook, with the healthcare and life sciences sector leading with +43% NEO.
READ MORE: Singapore private uni grads face tougher job market
The survey also highlighted key trends shaping long-term HR strategy. A majority of organisations report that global trade uncertainty, the demographic “silver shift” of an ageing workforce, and accelerating investment in automation are fundamentally reshaping their talent management and hiring plans. Many employers expect automation to bring the biggest changes to IT and data-focused roles over the next five years.
“Singapore’s employers are demonstrating foresight—not merely reacting, but strategically preparing for the future of work,” Teo added. “This is reflected in a dual focus: managing demographic shifts and accelerating investment in automation.”
Regionally, Asia-Pacific remains a bright spot with a leading NEO of +29%. India (+42%) and China (+28%) showed strong hiring confidence, while Hong Kong (+8%) and Japan (+15%) expressed more caution.
