Retrenchments stable despite hitting 3,690 in Q4 2025

MOM reports retrenchment figures fluctuating less than 5% since Q4 2024.

The number of retrenched employees in Singapore remained relatively stable over the five quarters ending December 2025, according to the Ministry of Manpower Labour Market Report for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025.

Retrenched employees are those whose jobs were terminated due to business or economic reasons, rather than performance-related issues.

Retrenchment levels were steady over the last five quarters, peaking slightly at 3,690 in Q4 2025. This followed quarterly figures of 3,680 (Q4 2024), 3,590 (Q1 2025), 3,540 (Q2 2025), and 3,670 (Q3 2025).

Full year data reached 14,490, with sectors such as Financial Services (2,240) and Professional Services (1,900) having the highest retrenchment numbers. These also recorded relatively higher Professional, Managerial, Executive and Technical job vacancies.

"In Q1 2026, firms are expected to remain cautious in their hiring and wage decisions," the ministry said. "Retrenchments are expected to edge up in some outward-oriented sectors but remain within non-recessionary levels."

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Ministry of Manpower

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