SINGAPORE: Singapore’s labour market continued to develop in 2025, however the bulk of latest jobs went to overseas staff quite than locals, in response to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) newest Labour Market Report launched in March.
The report confirmed that whole employment, excluding migrant home staff, expanded by 55,500 in 2025, up from 44,500 in 2024. Nonetheless, non-residents accounted for 43,900 of these jobs, or about 79% of whole employment progress, whereas residents — comprising Singapore residents and everlasting residents — took up 11,600 positions.
The figures imply that for each new job gained by a resident employee final yr, round 4 went to non-residents.
The report additionally confirmed variations in the place employment beneficial properties had been concentrated.
Amongst residents, a lot of the progress got here from higher-skilled industries equivalent to monetary companies and well being and social companies. Non-resident employment progress was pushed primarily by labour-intensive sectors, significantly development, which continued to rely closely on overseas manpower for infrastructure and constructing tasks.
Within the fourth quarter of 2025, employment for each residents and non-residents elevated in administrative and assist companies in addition to retail commerce, with MOM attributing the rise largely to seasonal hiring linked to occasions and year-end vacation demand.
The newest figures proceed a development seen over the previous a number of years, with non-resident employment progress persistently outpacing that of residents.
In 2023, residents accounted for lower than 6% of all new jobs created regardless of sturdy total employment progress. Even in 2025, which recorded a stronger enhance in resident employment in comparison with earlier years, overseas staff nonetheless made up near 4 in 5 of all new jobs added.
MOM stated the sample displays structural constraints in Singapore’s labour market.
In keeping with the ministry, Singapore’s resident labour drive participation charge for these aged between 25 and 64 has reached 85.9%, among the many highest globally. With most residents who’re keen and capable of work already employed or actively taking part within the workforce, there may be restricted room for additional enlargement of the native labour pool.
On the identical time, employers proceed to face manpower calls for that can’t be totally met by residents alone, whether or not on account of enterprise enlargement, substitute wants, or challenges in attracting locals to sure sectors. Overseas staff have due to this fact continued to fill gaps in industries dealing with persistent labour shortages.
Wanting forward, MOM expects the development to proceed into 2026.
Resident employment progress is projected to stay at the same tempo or sluggish barely in comparison with 2025, whereas non-resident employment is anticipated to maintain increasing alongside financial demand, significantly in development and different manpower-intensive sectors the place hiring demand has remained sturdy in recent times.
