Technological Developments Continued to Drive Demand for Skilled Workers in 2025: MOM

Why It Matters

The surge in tech and specialist vacancies signals sustained demand for digital talent, compelling firms and policymakers to prioritize skills‑based hiring and reskilling initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• Tech roles rank among top three PMET vacancies
• Nearly half of jobs are newly created positions
• Remote‑capable vacancies rose to 22.7% in 2025
• Skills‑based hiring now dominates 80% of vacancies
• Unfilled specialist roles increase hiring difficulty

Pulse Analysis

The Ministry of Manpower’s Job Vacancies 2025 report shows Singapore’s labour market expanding, with total vacancies climbing from 69,600 in September to 77,700 by December, pushing the vacancy‑to‑unemployed ratio to 1.58. Technology‑related positions dominate the landscape: software, web, multimedia and game developers sit third among all PMET openings, while data scientists and AI‑focused programmers rank within the top fifteen. Professional services and financial‑insurance sectors generated the highest share of newly created roles, reflecting sustained business expansion and a continued push toward digital transformation across the economy.

Employers are moving away from degree‑centric criteria; 79.6% of 2025 vacancies listed skills and experience as the primary hiring factor. This shift has broadened the talent pool and accelerated placements, especially for roles that require specialised expertise such as data science, civil engineering and teaching. Remote‑capable positions also surged, accounting for 22.7% of all openings, up from 14.4% a year earlier, signalling that digital collaboration tools are reshaping work structures. The rise of AI‑enabled solutions further fuels demand for programmers, analysts and engineers who can integrate advanced analytics into business processes.

Minister Tan See Leng highlighted the government’s role in upskilling Singaporeans, pledging stronger job‑matching, career guidance and training subsidies to bridge the gap in specialist occupations. While hiring conditions have improved, unfilled PMET vacancies rose to 16%, underscoring persistent skill shortages in data science, engineering and education. External shocks, such as rising electricity costs from Middle‑East tensions, could pressure operating expenses and temper growth. Nonetheless, the combination of expanding digital projects, a growing share of remote work and a skills‑first hiring ethos positions Singapore’s labour market to remain resilient and adaptable.