Nearly half of Singapore vacancies in 2025 driven by new job creation

Long-term unfilled roles fell to 17.1% even as demand stayed strong in key sectors.

Singapore’s labour market remained tight in 2025, with job vacancies rising from the previous year as demand shifted towards growth sectors, according to the Ministry of Manpower.

Newly created roles accounted for 49.3% of vacancies, up from 45.7% in 2024, driven mainly by business expansion, particularly in information and communications, professional services, and financial services.

Demand for skilled workers stayed strong, especially in technology and engineering roles such as software developers, data scientists, and AI engineers. 

At the same time, employers increasingly prioritised skills over academic qualifications, with 79.6% of vacancies not requiring formal qualifications as the main hiring criterion, citing faster hiring and better job performance.

Most vacancies were open to candidates with varying experience levels, including entry-level roles, though mid-level positions requiring two to five years’ experience made up the largest share. 

Hiring difficulties eased overall, with long-term unfilled vacancies falling to 17.1% in 2025, although specialised roles in tech remained harder to fill.

Remote-capable jobs rose to 22.7% of vacancies, whilst reliance on overseas hiring declined, reflecting a preference for local talent.

Looking ahead, hiring is expected to remain cautious but stable, with early 2026 indicators pointing to a modest recovery. 

Despite restructuring in some sectors, demand for skilled workers remains, suggesting ongoing skills shifts rather than a broad decline in job opportunities.