Singapore’s labour market demonstrated resilience in the third quarter of 2025, with total employment rising by 25,100, significantly surpassing the 10,400 increase seen in the previous quarter. This growth was driven by sectors such as Financial & Insurance Services and Health & Social Services for residents, whilst non-resident employment saw gains in Construction and Manufacturing. Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, the unemployment rates remained low, with overall unemployment at 2.0% in September 2025.
The number of job vacancies decreased slightly from 76,900 in June to 69,200 in September, yet the demand for Professionals, Managers, and Executives (PMEs) remained robust. The ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons improved from 1.35 to 1.49, indicating a tighter labour market. Retrenchments were minimal, with only 3,670 cases reported, and employers increasingly opted for short work-week arrangements over layoffs.
In November, the Ministry of Trade and Industry revised Singapore’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 to around 4.0%, reflecting better-than-expected economic performance. However, firms remain cautious about hiring and wage increases, with a slight rise in the share of companies planning redundancies.
To address these challenges, the government offers various programmes to support workforce resilience, including reskilling initiatives and financial support for jobseekers. As Singapore navigates these economic headwinds, both employers and workers are encouraged to remain adaptable and proactive in enhancing their skills and job prospects.
