Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the employment outlook report indicates that Singapore employers maintain a cautious hiring expectation for Q4 2025, with a Net Employment Outlook of 20%, reflecting a 17% decrease from the previous quarter and a 31% decrease year-on-year [1] - Among the 524 surveyed employers, 37% expect to increase headcount, 17% anticipate reductions, and 45% plan to maintain current staffing levels, with 1% uncertain [1] Group 2 - The transportation, logistics, and automotive sectors show the strongest hiring demand with a Net Employment Outlook of 48%, while the financial and real estate sectors exhibit the weakest hiring sentiment at only 10% [2] - Economic uncertainty has led to a more conservative expansion attitude among employers in the financial sector, reflecting a broader trend of cautious hiring across various industries [2] Group 3 - The primary driver for hiring growth in Q4 is attributed to business expansion, with 43% of employers citing growth and scale as the main reason for creating new positions [3] - Economic challenges are the leading reason for layoffs, with 41% of employers planning to reduce headcount due to economic uncertainty, followed by 31% citing restructuring or downsizing [3] Group 4 - Employers in Singapore face challenges in talent acquisition, with 50% indicating that attracting qualified candidates is their biggest hurdle, and 34% struggling to fill complex technical roles [4] - To retain talent, work-life balance is viewed as the most effective strategy by 56% of employers, followed by employee recognition at 40% and flexible work arrangements at 35% [4] - Singapore's Net Employment Outlook is slightly below the global average of 23%, with the UAE and India showing the strongest hiring intentions at 45% and 40%, respectively [4]