Singapore’s labour market remains firm, with stable employment conditions and labour demand despite recent layoff headlines.

In Focus HR & Education Staff Reporter , Singapore Published: in 11 hours Photo by Thirdman via Pexels Labour market resilience holds despite layoff headlines Unemployment seen staying low at 2.1%The labour market remains broadly resilient despite recent headlines highlighting a rise in layoffs, according to Nomura.The report referenced media coverage, including Bloomberg’s, which points to layoffs reaching a near three-year high amid corporate restructuring.

It added that labor conditions have stayed broadly steady despite external shocks, including U.S. tariff uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

Data from the Ministry of Manpower Singapore indicates that the recent increase in retrenchments has been concentrated amongst non-resident workers, particularly in sectors such as construction.The ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons eased slightly to 1.46 from 1.

58, but continues to point to a relatively tight labour market.Nomura see this as a sign of gradually improving labour matching, whilst overall demand for workers remains firm.The unemployment rate held at 2.

0%, remaining below pre-pandemic levels of 2.2%.Additionally, the report noted that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption amongst firms is increasing, although clear signs of AI-driven job displacement remain limited at this stage.

Looking ahead, Nomura expects the labour market outlook to remain stable, with unemployment forecast at 2.1% in 2026.It noted that this is broadly aligned with its above-consensus GDP growth expectations of 4.

6%, supported by multiple growth drivers.However, Nomura expect core inflation to accelerate in the coming months. “We still expect core inflation to rise sharply in coming months,clikely lifting domestic interest rates with it, given thecpositive output gap and stable labor market conditions,” it said.

Also Read Singapore average weekly working hours hold at 42.9 in Q1 Heavy AI use meets productivity doubt in Singapore workplaces Join Singapore Business Review community Your e-mail address A NOTE FROM SINGAPORE BUSINESS REVIEW The people you want to reach are already in this room. Every quarter, SBR lands on the desks of the founders, CFOs, and directors running Asia's most consequential companies.

Every day, they open our newsletter and read our website. It's a room that took twenty years to build — and it's the one most of our partners are trying to get into.The good news is that the door is open.

We work with companies on thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. The shape of the right partnership depends on what you're trying to do, which is why we'd rather start with a conversation than send a rate card. If you have something this room should know about, tell us.

We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how. No rate cards until we understand the brief. It's a better use of everyone's time.

Tell us what you're working on → Book a meeting | Or download the media kit (PDF) 240,000 senior readers quarterly in print Top 1,700 Singapore companies reached 7 markets across Southeast Asia Tell us what you're working on Email Message Submit Most Read 1. Seatrium wins ABS nod for offshore ammonia energy hub concept 2. Annica wins Sarawak solar‑hydrogen project in regional expansion 3.

Insurers expand beyond protection into wealth planning 4. Singapore banks see uneven exposure, with DBS most affected 5. Singapore banks face currency split as ringgit offsets losses Top News Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.

7%; Top stock is SATS Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.7%; Top stock is SATS SATS is the top stock with a 4.07% increase.

Stocks 58 minutes ago FairPrice extends $6 return voucher offer to 21 June FairPrice extends $6 return voucher offer to 21 June The extension covers the group’s third voucher round this year. Retail 17 hours ago IMDA ramps up AI push as short-form platforms dominate IMDA ramps up AI push as short-form platforms dominate The agency's $48m programme backs capability upgrade as viewing habits move mobile-first platforms. Media & Marketing 17 hours ago No SBF exercise to lift resale demand after October BTO launch: Huttons No SBF exercise to lift resale demand after October BTO launch: Huttons HDB is set to launch an estimated 7,970 flats across seven projects.

Residential Property 17 hours ago Exclusives Big-ticket deals lift Singapore M&A as volumes fall Big-ticket deals lift Singapore M&A as volumes fall Private equity and AI infrastructure drive record deal concentration. 23 hours ago Insurers expand beyond protection into wealth planning Insurers expand beyond protection into wealth planning Only 41% of consumers own life insurance. Insurance 2 days ago BofA expands payment push as clients shift liquidity BofA expands payment push as clients shift liquidity Treasury functions move closer to board-level decisions.

Financial Services 6 days ago Employers seek lea