Singapore Jobs Grow in Q3, But Retrenchments Reach Near Six-Year High

Published 2026-10-30

Total employment in Singapore grew in the third quarter of 2026, according to advance figures from the Ministry of Manpower. However, the number of retrenchments also rose to its highest level in nearly six years. This means that while more people are working overall, more workers have also lost their jobs because their companies made cuts.

Retrenchment is when an employer ends a worker's job because the business no longer needs that position, often due to restructuring or lower demand. A rise in retrenchments can affect many families, especially when workers find it harder to get a new job quickly. Readers who are worried about their own jobs may want to check the latest guidance from the Ministry of Manpower and the SkillsFuture Singapore website, which offer support and training options for people who have been made redundant.

The mixed picture shows that the job market is changing. Some sectors may be hiring while others are reducing their workforce. Economists and government officials will continue to watch these trends closely in the coming months to understand whether the labour market is becoming stronger or facing more pressure.

For workers in Singapore, the latest figures highlight the importance of building new skills and staying informed about job opportunities. The full quarterly report will provide more details on which industries are growing and which are seeing the most job losses.

Sources: CNA

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