Overview of Hiring Activity
Singapore’s online hiring activity was down 1% year-on-year in September 2026. The small decline reflects a stronger year-ago base rather than fresh weakness. Month-on-month, the index rose 1% to its highest level in a year.
The broader trend is steady rather than accelerating. Hiring is up 3% over the last three months and 4% over the last six months, nudging just above the narrow band it held for most of the year.
Gains remain concentrated in consumer goods, advertising and technology. Legal and sales roles continue to weaken as firms keep commercial and in-house teams lean.
Hiring Trends by Industry (YoY change)
5 of the 14 industries tracked recorded year-on-year growth in September 2026, with 4 holding flat and 5 recording declines.
In demand
Consumer Goods/FMCG (+14%) The top performer. Retail and consumer brands continue to add front-line and supply-side staff.
Advertising, Market Research, PR, Media & Entertainment (+10%) Continued digital and campaign spend keeps creative and media hiring firmly positive.
IT, Telecom/ISP & BPO/ITES (+7%) The largest-volume gainer, underpinned by sustained AI, cloud and cybersecurity demand.
Production/Manufacturing (+3%) Steady project-led hiring sustains modest growth.
Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (+2%) Project pipelines keep construction and engineering roles marginally ahead of last year.
Holding steady
Government/PSU/Defence (0%) Public sector hiring holds at year-ago levels.
Health Care (0%) Flat for a second month, as replacement hiring keeps pace with demand.
Shipping/Marine (0%) Stable trade route activity keeps hiring at maintenance levels.
Oil & Gas (0%) Capital discipline keeps hiring neither growing nor contracting.
Facing challenges
Import/Export (−1%) A marginal decline, as soft global trade and tariff uncertainty cap demand.
Education (−4%) Tight budgets continue to limit hiring across institutions and training providers.
BFSI (−6%) Banks remain focused on cost control and automation rather than net headcount growth.
Retail/Trade & Logistics (−6%) Softer consumer volumes and efficiency-led cost control keep hiring below last year.
Hospitality (−8%) The steepest industry decline. Visitor arrivals have held broadly steady, but shorter trips and fewer overnight stays mean hotels need fewer staff than a year ago.
Hiring Trends by Functional Area (YoY change)
4 out of 11 functional areas recorded positive annual growth in September 2026. Technology roles lead, while legal and sales functions remain under the most pressure.
In demand
Software, Hardware & Telecom (+7%) The leading function for a second month, in line with firmer technology demand on the industry side.
Customer Service (+4%) Steady support-desk hiring keeps this function positive.
Engineering/Production (+3%) Continued project-led demand supports modest growth.
Marketing & Communications (+1%) Still positive, but cooling as advertisers slow fresh campaign hiring.
Holding steady
Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain (0%) Flat for a second month, as operational demand holds without expanding.
Facing challenges
Finance & Accounts (−3%) Banks continue to keep back-office hiring tight.
Health Care (−3%) A modest decline, though clinical recruitment improved over the summer.
HR & Admin (−5%) The decline in support-function hiring is beginning to ease.
Hospitality & Travel (−9%) Still deep in negative territory as the tourism recovery remains selective.
Sales & Business Development (−10%) Hiring is at its lowest level in over a year, as companies hold back on expanding commercial headcount.
Legal (−14%) The sharpest functional decline, extending a year-long slide as firms rely more on outside counsel and keep in-house teams small.
About the foundit Insights Tracker
The foundit Insights Tracker (fit) Singapore (formerly the Monster Employment Index) is a monthly benchmark of online hiring activity across the nation. By analysing millions of job postings, fit provides timely, data-led intelligence on recruitment trends across industries, occupations, and skill categories, helping organisations and talent navigate an evolving labour market.
Beware of Scammers
