Q1
2026
ManpowerGroup
Employment Outlook Survey
APME FINDINGS
© ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
Executive Summary
525 employers in Singapore were asked about their first quarter hiring intentions in the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
12,193 employers across 10 APME countries and territories reported a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 31% as they forecast Q1 staffing changes in the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
Hiring increases are driven by company expansion.
Strongest NEOs
Financials and Real Estate
*Net Employment Outlook results range from +100% to –100%
Net Employment Outlook data are seasonally adjusted to mitigate the impact of typical annual hiring fluctuations.
Hiring decreases are driven by market shifts lowering job demand.
APME Employment Outlooks have increased by 3 points since the previous quarter and increased by 7 points when compared to the same time last year.
Reported for Q1 2026
52%
India
38%
Information
38%
Finance
& Insurance
38%
Organizations with
5000+ employees
Most Improved NEOs
Compared to the previous quarter
+11pts
India
+8pts
Public Sector, Health & Social Services
+9pts
Organizations with less than 10 employees
Hiring increases are driven by company expansion.
23%
Reported for Q1 2026
Strongest NEOs
23%
Information
+11pts
Construction & Real Estate
+3pts
Organizations with 50-249 employees
APME Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
APME Hiring Sentiment
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Executive Summary
APME Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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Net Employment Outlook results range from +100% to –100%
Net Employment Outlook data are seasonally adjusted to mitigate the impact of typical annual hiring fluctuations.
+9pts
Organizations with 10 - 49 employees
+13pts
Organizations with less than 10 employees
Q1 2026 APME Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
APME Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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Singapore Employer Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
Singapore Employer Hiring Sentiment
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APME Employer Expectations
13% of employers reported they are anticipating staff reductions.
44% of employers said they planned to increase their staff between January and March.
39% of employers said they planned to keep staffing levels unchanged.
4% of employers were unsure how staffing levels would change in the months ahead.
How will your staff size change next quarter?
32% of employers said they planned to increase their staff between January and March.
32% of employers said they planned to increase their staff between January and March.
Executive Summary
APME Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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APME Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
APME Hiring Sentiment
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Steady Gains in Gender Equality
Over the past year, more companies have reached and are getting closer to gender equality. Organizations in the Communication Services and Healthcare and Life Sciences industries have reported the largest improvements, with increases of +45 and +25 percentage points, respectively.
Changes Over Time
APME NEOs for Q1 2026 have increased by 3 points since the previous quarter and increased by 7 points when compared to the same time last year.
Executive Summary
APME Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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APME Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
APME Hiring Sentiment
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Employment outlook by sector and company size
Hiring trends across the Asia Pacific and Middle East region
Country-by-Country Comparisons region and globally
Q1 2026 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
APME Findings - Preview
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Executive Summary
APME Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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APME Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
APME Hiring Sentiment
Download the Full Report
ManpowerGroup Solutions Across the Entire HR Life Cycle
Workforce Consulting and Analytics
Workforce Management
Talent
Resourcing
Career
Management
Career Transition
Top Talent Attraction
Visit www.manpowergroup.com to learn more.
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ManpowerGroup Solutions Across the Entire HR Life Cycle
Workforce Management
Talent Resourcing
Career Management
Top Talent Attraction
Strategic Workforce Planning
Workforce Consulting Analytics
Visit www.manpowergroup.com.sg to learn more.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT