Despite the spread of the Omicron variant in Singapore, hiring activity continued its upward trend throughout February, reaching a new high, according to job ad data on Indeed.

By the end of February 2022, Singapore job postings on Indeed were up 106% from their level on 1 February 2020.

Postings growth in Singapore has consistently outpaced most other markets that Indeed operates in. Singapore and Australia are the only two advanced economies where postings have more than doubled since the pandemic began.

The data by Indeed continues to showcase further strengthening of Singapore’s labour market even with the rise in Covid-19 cases this year. 

According to Indeed, the Singapore labour market continues to shift in favour of jobseekers, creating a more challenging recruitment environment.

Demand for talent is elevated across every occupational category, although to a much greater extent in some occupations than in others.

Production, engineering and installation and maintenance roles were the top-performing sectors with the highest number of job postings, each experiencing growth that exceeded the national average throughout the pandemic.

Callam Pickering, Indeed's APAC economist, noted that "Singapore is on the road to recovery and the strong job creation speaks volumes about the confidence that businesses have in that recovery.”

“Nevertheless, people’s expectations of jobs and careers have changed throughout the pandemic and that will present a challenge to Singapore businesses. Jobseekers have greater choice in where and how they work and are in a stronger position to bargain for higher wages or better benefits,” Pickering said.

“Skill shortages are already common and will become more widespread as Singapore’s economic recovery continues. These shortages will be challenging to address nationally until Singapore can tap international talent. Recruiters though can make the best of a tough situation by anticipating these shortages and adjusting their recruitment strategies accordingly.”

Singapore’s unemployment rate stood at 2.3% in January 2022, according to Ministry of Manpower’s latest data.

For more information on Singapore’s cases of Covid-19 as well as worldwide information on the pandemic, visit SIA’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Resource Centre.