Fewer fresh graduates found work within 6 months in 2025; median salary held steady at S$4,500: Survey
Fewer fresh graduates found work within 6 months in 2025; median salary held steady at S$4,500: Survey
The landscape of the Singaporean job market for young professionals is undergoing a significant transformation, as revealed by the latest data from the 2025 Graduate Employment Survey. While the city-state remains a global hub for talent and innovation, fresh graduates are facing a more challenging transition from academia to the workforce. Amidst a backdrop of global economic shifts and a moderation in post-pandemic hiring surges, the journey to securing that first professional role has become slightly longer for many. This year's findings highlight a critical juncture for the Class of 2025, emphasizing the need for resilience and adaptability in a more cautious recruitment environment.
According to the joint survey by Singapore's six autonomous universities, the proportion of fresh graduates who found work within six months of their final examinations in 2025 was 83.4 per cent, a decrease from 87.1 per cent in 2024. Despite this softening in the employment rate, the median gross monthly salary for those in full-time permanent employment remained resilient, holding steady at S$4,500, which is identical to the previous year's figure. This suggests that while positions may be harder to secure, the market value for entry-level professional talent remains robust in core sectors.
Understanding the 2025 Graduate Employment Survey Results
The 2025 Graduate Employment Survey (GES), conducted by the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), provides a comprehensive look at the employment status of graduates approximately six months after their final exams. The data reflects the experiences of thousands of students entering the labor force during a period of significant global uncertainty.
One of the most notable aspects of the 2025 survey is the continued downward trend in the employment rate since 2022. While the post-pandemic years saw a massive spike in hiring as businesses rushed to normalize operations, 2025 represents a return to a more moderated, and perhaps more sustainable, hiring pace. The universities have pointed out that the current results reflect a cautious hiring sentiment among employers who are navigating geopolitical developments and broader economic fluctuations. This caution is particularly evident in outward-oriented sectors that are more sensitive to international market conditions.
Key Statistics: Employment Rates and Salary Trends
The headline figure of 83.4 per cent employment among those seeking jobs is a clear indicator of the cooling market. When looking deeper into the types of employment secured, the proportion of graduates finding full-time permanent roles saw a sharper decline, dropping to 74.4 per cent in 2025 from 79.4 per cent in 2024. This suggests that even when graduates are finding work, it is increasingly in forms other than the traditional full-time contract, such as freelance work, internships, or temporary assignments.
However, the stability of the median salary at S$4,500 provides a silver lining. It indicates that for the roles that are available, employers are still willing to pay a premium for local university talent. This stability is crucial as it helps fresh graduates manage the cost of living in Singapore, which remains high. The consistency in pay also reflects the high quality of education and training provided by the autonomous universities, ensuring that graduates possess the skills that are in high demand, even if the volume of job openings has decreased.
The Shift in Employment Categorization Explained
For the first time in 2025, the survey adopted a new method of categorizing graduates. Instead of the traditional "employed" or "unemployed" labels, the survey now classifies graduates based on whether they have "secured" or "not secured" employment. This change is designed to provide a more accurate picture of the modern job search process. Under the previous system, those who had accepted a job offer but had not yet started, or those taking active steps to launch a startup, were technically counted as unemployed. The new "secured employment" category now includes these individuals.
Under this new metric, 88.9 per cent of the 2025 cohort secured employment within six months, compared to 91.2 per cent in 2024. While the numbers still show a decline, the categorization helps policymakers and educators understand that a significant portion of the "unemployed" are actually in a transitional phase with a confirmed path forward. This distinction is vital for accurately assessing the health of the labor market and identifying where intervention might be needed for those who truly have not found any opportunities.
Factors Contributing to Cautious Hiring in 2025
Several factors have converged to create the more subdued hiring environment seen in 2025. Chief among these is the broader economic uncertainty. Global supply chain shifts, fluctuating interest rates, and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into business processes have caused many companies to pause and re-evaluate their headcount needs. Instead of the rapid expansion seen in previous years, firms are now focusing on efficiency and high-impact hires.
Geopolitical developments have also played a role. As an open economy, Singapore is highly susceptible to international tensions and trade policy changes. Sectors like information and communications, which often rely on global projects and international clients, have seen more subdued hiring compared to their peak years. Additionally, the "post-pandemic churn"—where employees frequently changed jobs for higher pay—has significantly slowed down. With fewer people leaving their current roles, there are fewer vacancies opening up for fresh graduates to fill.
| Survey Metric | 2024 Result | 2025 Result |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Rate (of those seeking jobs) | 87.1% | 83.4% |
| Full-Time Permanent Employment Rate | 79.4% | 74.4% |
| Median Gross Monthly Salary | S$4,500 | S$4,500 |
| Part-Time/Temporary Employment | 6.0% | 7.2% |
| Proportion in Labour Force | 90.7% | 92.2% |
Performance Across Different Course Clusters
While the overall trend points toward a softening market, the impact is not uniform across all fields of study. Certain course clusters continue to show exceptional resilience. Health sciences, the built environment, and information and digital technologies emerged as the top performers in 2025. Graduates from these clusters enjoyed full-time permanent employment rates ranging from 78 per cent to 89 per cent, significantly higher than the national average.
Information and digital technology graduates remained the highest earners, with a median gross monthly salary of S$5,500. This highlights the ongoing digital transformation across all industries in Singapore, where tech skills remain a top priority for employers. On the other hand, graduates from more generalist fields or industries heavily reliant on discretionary spending have had to be more flexible in their job searches, often taking longer to find a role that matches their aspirations.
The Rise of Part-Time and Temporary Employment
An interesting development in the 2025 data is the rise in part-time and temporary employment among fresh graduates. This figure grew to 7.2 per cent in 2025, up from 6 per cent in 2024. Perhaps more telling is that the proportion of those in "involuntary" part-time work—meaning they wanted a full-time role but could only find part-time work—rose to 3.1 per cent. This reflects a shift where graduates are opting for temporary roles to gain experience and income while they continue to hunt for permanent positions.
This trend toward "gig" or temporary work is a double-edged sword. While it allows graduates to stay active in the workforce and develop soft skills, it can also lead to underemployment if these roles do not provide a clear path to career progression. However, universities and career coaches often encourage this flexibility, as having some form of professional engagement is generally viewed more favorably by future employers than having a long gap on a resume during a tough market.
Government and University Support Initiatives
Recognizing the challenges faced by the 2025 cohort, the Singapore government and the autonomous universities have stepped up their support mechanisms. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng recently highlighted the resilience of the job market, noting that over four in 10 job openings in Singapore are entry-level PMET (Professional, Manager, Executive, and Technician) roles. To bridge the gap, the government has introduced the Graduate Industry Traineeships scheme.
This initiative, which has already seen over 400 graduates participate, offers government-sponsored traineeships that provide valuable industry exposure and a monthly stipend. The scheme is designed to help graduates build their portfolios and networks, making them more competitive for full-time roles as they become available. Furthermore, university career offices have intensified their efforts, providing personalized coaching, networking events, and upskilling workshops focused on AI and digital literacy to ensure graduates remain at the forefront of employer needs.
Future Outlook for Singaporean Fresh Graduates
Despite the current headwinds, the long-term outlook for Singaporean graduates remains positive. The universities have noted that employment outcomes typically improve significantly beyond the six-month mark. As the global economy stabilizes and the initial disruptions of new technologies are managed, hiring sentiment is expected to rebound. Singapore's commitment to being a "home to leading firms" ensures a steady pipeline of high-quality job opportunities in the long run.
For the graduates of 2026 and beyond, the key takeaway from the 2025 survey is the importance of early career preparation and continuous learning. The job market is no longer a static environment; it requires a proactive approach to skill acquisition and a willingness to explore non-traditional career paths. By leveraging available support systems and remaining adaptable, Singapore's fresh graduates are well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce and build successful, meaningful careers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What was the employment rate for fresh graduates in 2025?
A1: Approximately 83.4% of fresh graduates who were actively seeking employment found work within six months of their final exams in 2025, a decrease from 87.1% in 2024.
Q2: Did the starting salary for fresh graduates decrease in 2025?
A2: No, the median gross monthly salary for fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment held steady at S$4,500 in 2025, which is the same as the 2024 median.
Q3: Which sectors had the highest employment rates for graduates?
A3: Health sciences, built environment, and information and digital technologies clusters saw the highest full-time permanent employment rates, ranging from 78% to 89%.
Q4: Why has the employment rate for fresh graduates dropped?
A4: The drop is attributed to a more cautious hiring sentiment by employers due to global economic uncertainty, geopolitical developments, and a moderation of the post-pandemic hiring peak.
Q5: What is the "secured employment" category in the 2025 survey?
A5: This new category includes graduates who are already working, those who have accepted a job offer but have not yet started, and those taking active steps to start their own business.
Conclusion
The 2025 Graduate Employment Survey highlights a period of adjustment for Singapore's labor market. While the dip in the overall employment rate to 83.4 per cent and full-time permanent roles to 74.4 per cent signals a more competitive environment, the stability of the S$4,500 median salary underscores the continued value placed on high-quality university education. By embracing flexibility—seen in the rise of part-time work and the shift in how employment is categorized—and utilizing government-backed initiatives like traineeships, fresh graduates can successfully navigate these challenges. As sectors like technology and healthcare continue to thrive, the foundation remains strong for those entering the workforce with the right skills and a resilient mindset.
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