Singapore’s Hiring Landscape in August 2025: foundit Insights Tracker 

Overview of Hiring Activity 

The foundit Insights Tracker (fit) for Singapore remained flat month-on-month in August 2025, indicating a pause after modest gains earlier in the year.

The index was down 6% year-on-year, with both the 3-month (-1%) and 6-month (-1%) trends signalling subdued momentum.

Employers continue to adopt a measured approach, balancing hiring needs with cost prudence amid global demand uncertainty. 

Singapore Hiring Trends in Aug 2025 Download

Hiring Trends by Industry (YoY change) 

Only 4 of 14 industries recorded annual growth in August. 

In demand 

• Hospitality (+4%) – The travel and leisure rebound remains steady, sustaining openings in hotels, dining, and event services. 

• Production/Manufacturing (+3%) – Incremental recovery continues as electronics and consumer-goods segments stabilise output.\ 

• Retail/Trade & Logistics (+2%) – Trade activity and e-commerce fulfilment are holding firm despite patchy retail sentiment. 

• Oil & Gas (-1% YoY but +1% MoM) – Maintenance and energy-transition projects supported modest short-term hiring. 

Facing challenges 

• BFSI (-13%) – Banks and insurers continue rationalising headcount as loan growth moderates and cost controls tighten. 
   

• Education (-7%) – Weak enrolment and curriculum realignments weigh on demand for teaching and administrative staff. 

• IT, Telecom & BPO (-4%) – Hiring remains selective, with employers prioritising automation and efficiency gains. 

• Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (-2%) – Slower project approvals and housing-market caution dampen new additions. 

• Health Care (-2%) – Sector growth plateaus after earlier expansion driven by digital-health investments. 

• Consumer Goods/FMCG (-5%) – Spending restraint and inventory caution limit workforce expansion. 

• Import/Export (-6%) – External trade weakness continues to pressure hiring. 

• Government/PSU/Defence (-1%) – Largely steady employment levels with limited fresh intake. 
   

Hiring Trends by Functional Area (YoY change) 

4 of 12 occupational groups posted annual growth in August. 

In demand 

• Health Care (+4%) – Strongest growth across functions, reflecting continued investment in clinical and allied roles. 

• Hospitality & Travel (+1%) – Ongoing tourism recovery fuels frontline and service-staff demand. 

• Customer Service (+1%) – Hiring remains resilient, supported by retail, logistics, and travel sectors. 

• HR & Admin (-1% YoY but +3% MoM) – Month-on-month uptick suggests renewed workforce-planning activity. 

Facing challenges 

• Software, Hardware & Telecom (-19%) – Deepest contraction amid project slowdowns and AI-led automation. 

• Finance & Accounts (-14%) – BFSI caution continues to weigh on accounting and compliance hiring. 

• Legal (-23%) – Ongoing consolidation in advisory and corporate-services roles. 

• Sales & Business Development (-4%) – Sluggish consumer and enterprise spending limits expansion. 

• Marketing & Communications (-5%) – Budget restraint tempers new marketing hires. 

• Engineering/Production (-4%) – Hiring cools in tandem with construction and manufacturing moderation. 

Why the mixed signals? 

• Global softness: Weak external demand and cautious export sentiment are weighing on Singapore’s hiring appetite. 

• Selective growth: Hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing show modest gains as domestic consumption stabilises. 

• Efficiency over expansion: Employers are focusing on productivity, upskilling, and role consolidation rather than headcount increases. 

About the foundit Insights Tracker 

The foundit Insights Tracker (fit) Singapore, formerly the Monster Employment Index, is a leading gauge of the nation’s e-recruitment activity. By analysing millions of online job postings, fit provides timely intelligence on hiring trends across industries and occupations.