New report also reveals widespread adoption of AI in hiring
Hiring intentions in Singapore have rebounded, with nearly half of employers planning to increase their headcount, according to a new report.
Findings from the ManpowerGroup's latest Employment Outlook Survey revealed that 45% of employers in Singapore are planning to increase headcount in the second quarter of 2026.
A third of employers expect to maintain current staffing levels, while 21% are anticipating reductions in headcount, according to the report.
This brings the country's Net Employment Outlook (NEO) at to 24%, up 10 points quarter-on-quarter, but down three points year-on-year.
Linda Teo, country manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore, said the improvement in hiring sentiment reflects employers' continued efforts to adapt to evolving business needs.
"While much of this momentum is being driven by companies expanding into new areas, organisations are also stepping up their search for fresh skills to maintain a competitive edge — especially in the Information sector, where advancements in technology are creating demand for new expertise and supporting stronger hiring intentions as firms deepen their focus on technology‑led transformation and future capability building," Teo said in a statement.
AI deployment in hiring
The rebound in Singapore's overall hiring sentiment comes as AI deployment in the recruitment process has spread.
More than four in five organisations in Singapore (82%) said they are already using AI in hiring, onboarding, or training new workers.
This deployment rate is higher than the regional average in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East (81%) and is above the global average of 67%.
Despite this widespread use, only four per cent of employers said AI fully met their expectations in hiring and training. Another 10% reported no positive ROI to date.
So far, the highest perceived ROI from AI is on learning and development, as cited by 32% of employers. This is followed by scheduling or forecasting (17%) and team performance (12%).
The lack of employees' AI skills has been cited as the top barrier to broader AI deployment, according to the report.
"These findings show that while many employers are already using AI in hiring and training, the next step is ensuring those tools deliver meaningful returns," Teo said.
"That means investing in workforce readiness today — from building AI literacy and strengthening governance to addressing privacy and skills gaps — so organisations are positioned to unlock greater value from AI in the months ahead."
The Singapore government has unveiled plans to upskill 100,000 employees in AI under a new national programme, as part of efforts to keep workers relevant amid the country’s widespread adoption of AI.
