Singapore’s job market is showing signs of cooling as employers adopt a more cautious approach to hiring, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The survey, which polled 524 employers, indicates that the Net Employment Outlook (NEO) for Q4 2025 stands at 20%, a decline of 17% from the previous quarter and 31% year-on-year.
Nearly half of the surveyed employers, 45%, plan to maintain their current staffing levels, citing confidence in their existing teams. Meanwhile, 32% of employers are increasingly turning to temporary workers for specialised short-term tasks, with 34% using them for seasonal or surge support. This trend narrows the gap with permanent employees, who are utilised by 29% of employers for similar roles.
The survey highlights significant challenges in talent acquisition, with 50% of employers struggling to attract qualified candidates. Filling complex technical roles and improving the candidate experience are also noted as key difficulties, affecting 34% and 30% of employers, respectively.
Work-life balance emerges as a leading retention strategy, with 56% of employers prioritising it to retain talent. This is particularly evident in the Financials and Real Estate sector, where 67% of employers emphasise work-life balance as a retention tool.
As Singapore’s employment landscape evolves, the focus on flexible workforce strategies and retention through work-life balance could shape future hiring practices.
“`
