Transport, logistics, and the automotive sector are the most likely to hire for the rest of 2025
Jobseekers in Singapore eyeing opportunities in transport, logistics, and the automotive sector can expect the strongest employment prospects in Q4 2025.
This comes despite global trade uncertainty cooling the overall hiring sentiment, according to ManpowerGroup’s latest quarterly report. Hiring expectations have weakened by 17% since the previous quarter and 31% when compared to the same period last year.
That said, opportunities remain across several key sectors, even as employers take a more cautious approach.
Overall employment sentiments in Singapore
ManpowerGroup surveyed 524 employers for the report, with almost half of companies (45%) intending to maintain their current headcount.
Only 37% of them said they plan to hire in Q4 2025, down from 43% in the previous quarter.
However, fewer employers expect to reduce their workforce, with 17% anticipating cuts compared with 19% in Q3.
This brings Singapore’s net employment outlook (NEO)—the difference between the share of employers planning to hire and those expecting to make cuts—to 20%, signaling overall positive hiring intentions, but marking the weakest reading since Q3 2024, which was also 20%.
The softening sentiment in Singapore mirrors broader global trends. The global NEO for Q4 stands at 23%, down 8% year on year.
The survey revealed that the primary reason employers in Singapore are maintaining staffing levels is that current teams are sufficient to meet business objectives. Many also reported no significant planned projects or expansions and are taking a cautious approach amid economic uncertainty.
This cautious outlook is reflected in recent moves by more Singapore companies to freeze wages and halt hiring, amid dissatisfaction with the global economic climate.
Meanwhile, for companies that are hiring, job creation is largely driven by business growth or new ventures requiring additional roles.
Employers planning staff reductions cited economic challenges and market changes that have dampened demand for certain positions.
Which sectors are hiring?
On the bright side, industry-level data shows that most sectors are still hiring, offering opportunities for job seekers despite the overall cautious hiring sentiment.
The transport, logistics, and automotive sector offers the strongest hiring prospects, with a NEO of 48% for Q4. This ranks Singapore second globally for the sector, surpassing the global average by 24%.
The Q4 figure is also 18% higher than the previous quarter, four percentage points up compared to the same period last year.
According to Linda Teo, the country manager of ManpowerGroup, the “strong momentum” is “largely driven by Singapore’s strategic role as a global logistics hub.” “However, it remains to be seen whether this momentum will be sustained as global trade dynamics continue to evolve,” she added.
Other sectors with solid hiring prospects include Healthcare and Life Sciences (NEO of 38%) and Communication Services (NEO of 28%).
While most sectors maintain a positive NEO, several have seen year-on-year declines. These include Consumer Goods and Services (-22%), Industrials and Materials (-23%), Information Technology (-18%), and Financials & Real Estate, which experienced the steepest drop at -52%.
If you’re a jobseeker, the strongest opportunities currently lie in the transport, logistics, and automotive sector, and aligning career moves with these industries may increase your chances of securing a role.
- Read other articles we’ve written on Singapore’s job trends here.
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