Online recruitment in Singapore grew by 32% in July 2021 when compared to July 2020 according to data from the Monster Employment Index.

The Monster Employment Index (MEI) stood at 136 in July 2021 compared to 103 in July 2020. Month-on-month, there was increase of 2% as June 2021 saw an index of 133.

Monster noted that, in the last six months, there was an average growth of 15% which shows the significant growth in hiring demand among companies in Singapore.

Online hiring demand in July 2021 exceeded the July 2020 level in all of the 14 industries monitored by the Index.

Industry sectors that saw the most significant year-on-year growth in e-recruitment activity were IT, Telecom/ISP and BPO/ITES (Business Process Outsourcing/IT enabled services) which grew by 45%, BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance ) which grew 44% while Hospitality grew 40%.

Lowest growth among other monitored industries in July 2021 from the year-ago level came from Government/PSU (public service undertaking)/Defence with 3% growth, Oil & Gas which grew 5% and Shipping/Marine at 10% growth.

Annual online demand for professionals increased for all of the 12 functional areas monitored by the Index.

Legal professionals witnessed the sharpest year-on-year growth (+50%) followed by increase in demand for Hospitality & Travel (+48%) and Finance & Accounts (+46%) professionals.

Lower growth in hiring demand from the year ago level was recorded in functional areas like Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain (+20%), Healthcare (+21%) and Marketing & Communications (+29%), noticed.