Singapore job market sees recovery: report

Job listings across all categories have surged by 19.2%.

The local job market has seen sustained recovery as job postings exceeded pre-COVID levels in mid-October 2020 and have since increased through February 2021, according to data from recruitment platform Indeed.

As at the end of February 2021, job listings across all categories have surged by 19.2% compared to 1 February 2020, after adjusting for seasonal trends.

According to Indeed’s report, the STEM and medical fields are steering the recovery, with postings inflating by more than triple for research and more than double for pharmaceutical, nursing, and dental roles.

Concurrently, the manufacturing, warehousing, and construction sectors are also witnessing an increase in demand for new hires.

“The Singapore jobs recovery has strengthened during February, covering a broader range of occupations. Job postings for only a handful of occupations are below pre-COVID levels,” said Callam Pickering, Indeed's spokesperson and Asia-Pacific economist.

On the other hand, the persisting interruption of international travel has hindered recovery in the tourism and hospitality sectors — job postings in these industries have plummeted by 22% compared to their pre-crisis baseline.

Childcare, sports, legal, and marketing industries are also still struggling.