Singapore employment surges in 3Q 2025 amid strong hiring demand, better growth: MOM

Singapore’s labour market continued to strengthen in the third quarter (3Q) of 2025, supported by better-than-expected economic growth and steady hiring across key sectors.

The Manpower Ministry (MOM) announced this finding on 11 December 2025 in its Labour Market Report 3Q 2025.

Total employment grew by 25,100 in the third quarter, more than double the 10,400 increase in Q2 2025. The growth was driven by robust resident employment in financial and insurance services and health and social services, as well as non-resident hiring in construction and manufacturing.

Unemployment rates in September 2025 remained low, at 2 per cent overall, with the long-term resident figure holding steady at 0.9 per cent.

Retrenchments see slight spike amid rising business caution

Retrenchments in Q3 2025 rose to 3,670, a slight increase from 3,540 in the second quarter. MOM noted that firms continued to opt for short work weeks or temporary layoffs instead of cutting staff, with 800 workers placed on alternate schedules in Q3 compared with 620 in Q2.

Despite the relatively stable numbers, business sentiment remains cautious. The share of firms planning redundancies rose from 1.9 per cent in June 2025 to 2.3 per cent in September 2025, reflecting ongoing uncertainty despite improving economic conditions.

Job vacancies decline but labour market still tight

Job vacancies fell from 76,900 in June 2025 to 69,200 in September 2025, although demand for PMEs remained firm. With fewer jobseekers, the ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons increased from 1.35 to 1.49, indicating a still-tight labour market.

Economic outlook improves but risks remain

The Trade and Industry Ministry (MTI) upgraded Singapore’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 to around 4 per cent in November, up from the 1.5 to 2 per cent projected in August. The growth reflects the stronger-than-expected performance in Q3 and easing global conditions.

However, MOM cautioned that global uncertainties remain elevated and may weigh on hiring and wage growth in the coming months. Overall, outward-oriented firms show stronger hiring intent, but are less likely than domestic-oriented companies to give pay raises.

Workers must continue to build resilience amid uncertainty

Amid continued global uncertainty, workers should remain resilient and adaptable.

Workers can use Workforce Singapore’s CareerFinders feature to explore career and training options or take up career coaching services by WSG and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute).

Mid-career workers

Mid-career workers aged 40 and above can consider bolstering their skills with SkillsFuture initiatives, such as the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme. They can choose to use the $4,000 credit top-up to acquire in-demand skills or take a full-time course with a training allowance of up to $3,000 a month for up to two years.

Fresh graduates

Fresh graduates can apply for the GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) through MyCareersFuture and Careers@Gov. Graduates from institutes of higher learning can experience three-to-six-month traineeship opportunities across various sectors to boost their employability before transitioning to full-time jobs.

Involuntarily unemployed individuals

Jobseekers who have been actively searching for a job can receive temporary financial support of up to $6,000 over six months through the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Scheme. The programme helps workers find a job that makes better use of their skills and experiences.

Employers should continue workforce transformation to stay ahead

In a volatile global environment, companies should also transform to thrive amid new realities.

Employers can turn to existing Government initiatives, such as the Career Conversion Programmes, to reskill and upskill their employees. Firms can also consider utilising the Productivity Solutions Grant for redesigning jobs to improve productivity and efficiency.

Come 2026, businesses can look forward to a $10,000 boost from the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit to offset out-of-pocket costs for work transformation initiatives.

Visit NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) to receive career guidance, job placement support, workplace advisory, including advice for the Jobseeker Support Scheme.