Online recruitment in Singapore grew by 31% in February 2022 compared to February 2021, according to the latest Monster Employment Index.

The Monster Employment Index (MEI) increased to 143 in February 2022 from 122 in February 2021.

Month-on-month the Index was flat. Monster also noted that job demand recorded a sequential growth of 6% in the last six months.

Online hiring demand in February 2022 exceeded February 2021 level in 10 of the 14 industries monitored by the Index.

The BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) (31%), Education (28%), and Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media and Entertainment (20%) industries continue to drive hiring, being the top three in the e-recruitment activity on a year-on-year basis.

On the other hand, Import/Export (-4%) saw the steepest decline followed by Government/PSU (public sector undertaking)/Defence (-3%). The Consumer Goods/FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) (-3%) and Oil & Gas (-1%) industries noticed a dip among other monitored industries in February 2022 from the year-ago level.

Online demand for professionals saw an upsurge annually for all of the 12 functional areas monitored by the Index.

Software, Hardware, Telecom (41%) reported year-on-year growth in e-recruitment among industries. This was followed by Finance & Accounts (40%) and Legal (28%) professionals which led to this uptick in the overall hiring trends.

Customer Service (5%), Hospitality & Travel (8%) and Real Estate (11%) marked the lowest growth in hiring activity amongst all from the year ago level.

The Index is a broad and comprehensive monthly and quarterly analysis of online job posting activity conducted by Monster.