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As much as 18.5% in two years: Singapore MOM lists industries with the fastest wage growth

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has just released its latest Report on Wage Practices providing insights into developments of workers’ pay in Singapore over the past 2 years.

The overall situation remains positive, with wages continuing to edge out inflation, as all industries are reporting an average increase in pay across the economy.

Of course, your personal situation may vary depending on your company, its performance and your performance in it, although only 6.5 percent of establishments cut salaries last year, with 10 times as many offering raises.

Their scale, however, depends also on the industry you’re in, with the top performers reporting nearly twice the pace of the backmarkers:

Total Wage Change by Industry

Industry20222023Cumulative increase over 2 years
Accommodation9.7%8.0%18.5%
Real Estate Services8.6%8.0%17.3%
Financial Services9.0%7.6%17.3%
Information & Communications7.7%6.2%14.4%
Administrative & Support Services5.2%7.1%12.6%
Professional Services7.6%5.1%13.1%
Retail Trade6.7%5.6%12.7%
Transportation & Storage6.8%4.9%12.0%
Community, Social & Personal Services5.7%5.0%11.0%
Insurance Services6.9%4.4%11.6%
Food & Beverage Services5.4%4.9%10.5%
Construction5.8%4.2%10.2%
Wholesale Trade5.8%4.1%10.1%
Manufacturing5.7%4.0%9.9%
Source: Report on Wage Practices 2023, Ministry of Manpower, June 2024

Following the post-pandemic thaw, the Accommodation sector has continued to raise wages most rapidly, adapting to rising traveller demand.

Similarly, real estate services have seen a real boom, with rising property prices and high demand, compounded by disruptions of the previous two years.

Meanwhile, high inflation leading to higher interest rates has continued to improve the results of financial institutions, with banks like DBS posting record profits — which appear to be reflected in workers’ pay as well.

Speaking of profits…

Profitability remains highest in a decade

Businesses have, by and large, seen very good results following the pandemic, and are still reporting their highest profitability levels in 10 years, even though they slightly dipped in 2023.

Source: Report on Wage Practices 2023, Ministry of Manpower, June 2024

More than a quarter of companies incurred losses prior to 2020, with fewer than one in five reporting negative results today, a proportion last registered about a decade ago.

Over half of them reported as good as or better performance in 2023 compared to 2022, with a minority admitting to a downturn in results:

Source: Report on Wage Practices 2023, Ministry of Manpower, June 2024

Senior management accepts smaller increments

The average pay boost last year was the lowest among the top brass, although, across two years, it’s still above the rank-and-file staff (not by much, though).

Source: Report on Wage Practices 2023, Ministry of Manpower, June 2024

The lowest-paid local employees have something to look forward to, however, as the Local Qualifying Salary for Singaporeans is getting a boost this year from S$1,400 to $1,600, a jump of over 14 percent, which is bound to find some reflection in the statistics for 2024, reducing the gap between the highest and lowest paid individuals.

With positive economic forecasts for Singapore, seeing GDP growing by about 2.5 percent this and next year, and inflation under control, real wage growth should rebound, leaving a bit more money in our pockets.

Instead of chasing prices, wages should finally meaningfully outpace them in the next two years.

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