Overview of Hiring Activity
Singapore’s online hiring activity rose 2% month-on-month in December 2025, indicating modest year-end stabilisation after a period of uneven hiring momentum.
Near-term trends remained steady, with hiring flat over the last three months and down 2% over the past six months, suggesting that employers continue to adopt a measured approach to workforce planning amid cost pressures and selective expansion strategies. On a year-on-year basis, hiring activity was 8% lower, reinforcing the view that while confidence is improving gradually, recovery remains selective rather than broad-based.
Overall, December’s movement reflects stable replacement hiring and targeted role additions, particularly across technology, BFSI, healthcare, and manufacturing-linked sectors.
Hiring Trends by Industry (YoY Change)
Industry trends point to a mixed hiring environment, with operational continuity and selective expansion supporting demand in a few segments, while education, trade, and consumption-linked sectors remain under pressure.
In Demand
- Advertising, Market Research, PR, Media & Entertainment (+8%)
Continued investment in brand-building, digital campaigns, and content execution is sustaining demand.
- Production, Manufacturing, Automotive & Ancillary (+2%)
Stable growth reflects steady plant operations and controlled workforce expansion.
- IT, Telecom/ISP & BPO/ITES (+1%)
Calibrated hiring continues across digital infrastructure, service delivery, and technology operations.
- Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (+1%)
Ongoing infrastructure and development activity is supporting stable hiring momentum.
Stable Segments
- BFSI (0%), Health Care (0%), Hospitality (0%), Government/PSU/Defence (0%), Shipping/Marine (0%), and Oil & Gas (0%)
Flat hiring suggests replacement-level recruitment and steady operational requirements.
Facing Challenges
- Education (−10%)
Persistent contraction highlights structural adjustments in enrolment patterns and evolving delivery models.
- Others (−15%)
Broad-based moderation across smaller industry segments continues to weigh on hiring.
- Consumer Goods & FMCG Cluster (−3%), Import/Export (−4%), and Retail, Trade & Logistics (−1%)
Softer consumption sentiment and slower trade momentum are constraining workforce expansion.
Hiring Trends by Functional Area (YoY Change)
Role-level trends reveal clear divergence across functions, with healthcare and technology roles remaining resilient, while legal, sales, and hospitality functions face sustained pressure.
In Demand
- Health Care (+5%)
Continued demand for clinical and allied health roles is driving steady workforce additions.
- Software, Hardware & Telecom (+4%)
Selective hiring persists for digital transformation, cybersecurity, and systems modernisation initiatives.
- Marketing & Communications (+1%)
Stable hiring reflects sustained investments in brand, content, and digital engagement.
Stable Roles
- Purchase, Logistics & Supply Chain (0%)
Flat movement indicates steady operational hiring without capacity-led expansion.
Facing Challenges
- Legal (−30%)
The steepest functional decline, reflecting consolidation and leaner demand for compliance and advisory roles.
- Sales & Business Development (−7%)
Organisations remain cautious on expanding frontline commercial teams amid uncertain revenue outlooks.
- Hospitality & Travel (−5%) and Customer Service (−5%)
Lean staffing models and efficiency-driven workforce planning continue to weigh on demand.
- Finance & Accounts (−6%), HR & Admin (−2%), and Engineering & Production (−3%)
Cost optimisation and automation of routine functions are moderating hiring across support and operational roles.
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 delivers timely, data-led insights into recruitment trends across industries, occupations, and skill categories, helping organisations and talent navigate an evolving labour market.
