# Singapore employment and wage outlook

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/singapore-employment-and-wage-outlook
> Updated: 2026-09-07T06:00:24.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Singaporean employers are exhibiting cautious approaches toward wages and recruitment. A survey by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) indicates that 51% of polled organizations intend to moderate pay in 2027, an increase from 48% in 2026. While business performance expectations are improving, 54% of employers do not plan to increase headcount in 2027, citing rising manpower costs as a primary challenge for 83% of respondents.

Data for the final quarter of 2026 shows a similar trend of selective recruitment. The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey reports that nearly 47% of employers plan to maintain current headcount levels between October and December, up from 41% in the third quarter. The seasonally adjusted net employment outlook for Q4 2026 is 13%, marking the softest hiring forecast since Q4 2021 and trailing both regional and global averages.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-07: Singapore employers adopt selective hiring for Q4 2026

Singapore's Q4 2026 employment outlook stands at 13 per cent, as nearly half of employers plan to hold headcounts steady amid a decline in hiring sentiment compared to last year.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singapore-employers-adopt-selective-hiring-for-q4-2026

### 2026-09-03: Singapore employers plan wage moderation and hiring freezes for 2027

A SNEF survey reveals that 51% of Singaporean employers plan to freeze or moderate wages in 2027, despite a slightly improved business outlook and increased interest in AI adoption.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/singapore-employers-plan-wage-moderation-and-hiring-freezes-for-2027

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Cite as: Singapore employment and wage outlook. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/singapore-employment-and-wage-outlook