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. 

Team foundit

The foundit team transforms hiring by connecting job seekers with the right opportunities. They specialise in talent acquisition, business growth, and customer success. They connect job seekers with the right job role and help organisations build high-performing teams. With innovative technology, they make recruitment faster, and more effective for both employers and job seekers.