Singapore’s labor demand decreased in the first quarter of 2025 as a result of economic uncertainty and growing global trade disputes, according to the Ministry of Manpower ( MOM) on Monday ( Apr 28 ).
In an enhance launch of its monthly labour force statement, MOM said in a statement that the job growth slowed in the first quarter compared to previous rooms and the poverty level edged up significantly.
The moderate increase in labor demand was most apparent in some outward-focused industries, including specialist services, where resident work decreased, according to MOM.
But, the government continued, adding that in the first quarter, fewer jobs were created than they did in the previous one.  ,
Singapore downgraded its gross domestic product ( GDP ) growth forecast for 2025 to 0 percent to 2 % earlier this month, in response to slower global trade and increased economic uncertainty brought on by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
EMPLOYMENT AGREE is growing
In Q1 2025, full jobs increased by 2,300, excluding immigrant domestic staff. This was less than the 3, 200 progress that was observed during the same time last year, and it was also below the 7, 700 annual growth that was observed in the final quarter of 2024.
This reflects smaller rises in both native and non-resident work, according to MOM.
In both financial and social services, native work increased. But, native work decreased in industries with a focus on foreign markets like manufacturing, information and communications, and professional services.
Non-resident work increased, and it was fully fueled by work permits for lower-skilled occupations, primarily in administrative and support services and community, sociable, and personal services.  ,
The resident unemployment rate increased from 2.8 % in December 2024 to 2.9 % in January and March this year, making the first quarter of 2025’s rate slightly higher than the final quarter of 2024.  ,
The rate of member unemployment increased to 3.1 % in March from February, while the charge was unchanged for December 2024.
Despite this, MOM claimed that the poverty rates “remained within the non-recessionary collection.”  ,