Singapore employers adopt selective hiring for Q4 2026

Singapore employers are adopting a more selective recruitment approach for the final quarter of 2026. According to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, nearly 47 per cent of surveyed employers plan to maintain current headcount levels between October and December, an increase from 41 per cent in the third quarter.

The seasonally adjusted net employment outlook for Q4 2026 stands at 13 per cent. While this remains unchanged from the previous quarter, it represents a seven-point decline compared to the same period last year and marks the softest hiring forecast since Q4 2021. This sentiment lags behind both the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regional average of 33 per cent and the global average of 29 per cent.

Industry-specific data shows that trade and logistics lead with a 22 per cent outlook, followed by finance and insurance at 20 per cent, and tech and IT services at 17 per cent. Conversely, the professional, scientific, and technical services sector reported a weaker hiring intention of 6 per cent.