Remote job demand in Singapore insurance rises 15.3%

However, the overall job postings growth was offset by declines from the insurance sector.

Demand for remote work in Singapore’s insurance sector increased 15.3% on a year-on-year basis, revealed Indeed’s Hiring Lab.

Overall remote work offerings remain limited but are edging higher. In October, 8.2% of job postings mentioned remote or work-from-home options, up from 7.7% a year earlier. 

Remote roles are most common in IT infrastructure, operations and support at 17.2% of postings, followed by insurance and sales at 14.9%. In many job categories, however, the share remains below 5%.

Changes in remote demand vary widely. Over the past year, the largest increases were in marketing, medical information and legal. 

Declines were seen in architecture, beauty and wellness, and hospitality and tourism. These shifts reflect changing employer policies and efforts to attract more applicants in a tight labour market.

The overall job postings market in Singapore fell 3.1%, the eighth month of decline this year. The country has also been in a downward trend over the past three years.

“Despite this, Singapore’s job market remains incredibly tight. The post-pandemic job boom in Singapore was so large that even though job postings have fallen for the past three years, it’s still sufficiently high to keep the unemployment rate low. At the end of October, job postings were still 32% above pre-pandemic levels,” the report said.

Most occupations continue to show stronger demand than before COVID-19. Job postings in 86% of job categories remain above their 1 February 2020 baseline, although both this share and the number of occupations with more than double pre-pandemic postings have eased to near post-pandemic lows.

Pharmacy recorded the largest gain, with postings up 181% compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

Sport rose 122% and hospitality and tourism increased 119%. Veterinary, education and training, and physicians and surgeons also continued to show strong demand. 

In contrast, postings remain below pre-pandemic levels in driving, childcare, arts and entertainment, and beauty and wellness.

Posting growth over the past three months has been mixed. Retail rose 17%, while hospitality and tourism climbed 13.1%. 

Healthcare roles have picked up, including physicians and surgeons, therapy, medical technicians and medical information. 

These gains were offset by sharp drops in childcare, driving, sports, community and social service, installation and maintenance, and insurance.