Singapore’s hiring optimism for Q4 2025 has weakened, falling below the global average as employers adopt a cautious approach amid economic uncertainties, according to data released by ManpowerGroup.

While nearly half of companies plan to maintain current staffing levels, sectors such as transport, logistics, and automotive, along with healthcare and life sciences, show resilience with stronger employment outlooks.

Smaller firms are driving optimism, whereas industries like IT, finance, and real estate experience notable declines, reflecting broader shifts in the job market and challenges in attracting qualified talent.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ives Tay, Independent Workforce Development Consultant, to explore what’s driving Singapore’s weakening hiring optimism in Q4 2025 and how companies and policymakers can respond to support sustained employment growth across sectors.