Hiring outlook in Singapore for Q1 2020: How each industry will fare

In Q1 of 2020, employers in Singapore expect to see an increase in hiring pace, with 13% expressing plans to hire, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey released today (10 December).

That said, of the 630 employers involved in the survey, 5% said they expect to let staff go, while a majority (79%) did not anticipate any change in headcounts.

Following these sentiments, the overall net employment outlook for the quarter (seasonally adjusted) stood at +9%, a five percentage-point (pp) improvement from the previous quarter (+4%). It is expected to "remain relatively stable" as compared to the same period in 2019.

Linda Teo, ManpowerGroup Singapore Country Manager, commented: "While employers are cautiously optimistic in their hiring plans for the upcoming quarter, they will adjust their hiring plans in reaction to changing market conditions.

"As such, labour market activity is expected to be volatile."

Hiring outlook across seven industry sectors in Singapore for Q1 2020

Note: All net employment outlook figures shown are seasonally adjusted.

Looking at each of the seven key industry sectors in Singapore, employers across the board foresee an increase in payroll in the coming quarter, with stronger hiring intentions seen in six of them as compared quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q).

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Lead photo / 123RF

Infographics / ManpowerGroup