Talent shortage plagues all industries, women candidates in demand: Survey

Net Employment Outlook (NEO) currently sits at 24%.

The employment outlook for Singaporean employers dips for the second quarter in a row, amidst the communication services industry showing the most grim forecast.

The ManpowerGroup released its second quarter (Q2’24) employment outlook survey which covered 525 employers in Singapore. Internationally recognised as a benchmark for labour market trends, the Net Employment Outlook (NEO) currently sits at 24%. This figure is derived by subtracting the percentage of employers projecting reductions in staffing levels from those planning to hire.

In terms of industry, the financials and real estate sector showed the strongest outlook for Q2’24, climbing to 45%. This was followed by healthcare and life sciences (36%), energy and utilities (33%), industrials and materials (32%), information technology (28%), others (28%), transport, logistics, and automotive (20%), and consumer goods and services (17%).

On the contrary, communication services registered a negative outlook of 29%.

All industries reported talent shortage expectations, with employers stating difficulty finding skilled applicants. Those who found it most difficult to hire are from the financials and real estate sector (88%), the transport, logistics and automotive sector (87%), and the healthcare and life sciences sector (82%).

ALSO READ: 2 in 5 Singapore employers inflate job titles to attract, retain talent: study

Gender gap

Management roles, including top-level, middle-level, and front-line positions, are experiencing a notable shortage of women candidates. This presents a significant opportunity for employers to make a meaningful impact on their workforce diversity. Currently, not even half (46%) of employers reported that their company initiatives aimed at increasing the number of women candidates are on track.

Despite efforts, only 27% of employers anticipate achieving full gender equality within their organisation, contrasting with the 21% of organisations where gender equality is already realised.

Flexible working policies emerge as the most effective strategy in retaining and attracting diverse talent, with 42% of companies attributing flexible working to talent retention and diversification of the candidate pool.

Technology plays a pivotal role in bridging the gender gap in the workplace, with 73% of employers leveraging technology for increased flexibility and 67% acknowledging its contribution to promoting gender equality.

Follow the link for more news on

Singapore Employment

If you've been wondering whether SBR could work for your company — yes, probably.

A lot of the companies we partner with started as readers. They'd been following our coverage for a while, saw their own customers and competitors in it, and eventually asked the obvious question: could we do something with you? The answer is usually yes. The shape of it depends on what you're trying to do.

The options are broader than most people assume — thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. Some partners use one channel; most use a mix. We figure out the right combination by starting with your brief, not with our rate card.

So if the question has been on your mind, here's the easy way to ask it.

We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how. It's a better use of everyone's time.

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