Retrenchments surge to highest level in Singapore since pandemic

Retrenchments in Singapore reached 4,620 in the second quarter of 2026, marking the highest level since late 2020 due to business restructuring.

The Manpower Ministry cited business reorganisation and automation as key reasons for the increased layoffs, not cost-cutting or closures.

Despite rising layoffs, the labour market remains stable with low unemployment and job vacancies exceeding jobseekers.

SINGAPORE, Sept 21 — Retrenchments in Singapore climbed to their highest level since the height of the Covid‑19 pandemic, with layoffs rising sharply in the second quarter of 2026 amid continued business restructuring.

SCMP reported that according to the Manpower Ministry’s latest labour market report, 4,620 workers were retrenched between April and June, up from 3,830 in the first quarter. This marks the highest quarterly figure since late 2020, when the pandemic triggered widespread job cuts.

The ministry attributed the rise primarily to business reorganisation and restructuring, rather than cost‑cutting or company closures.

While the report did not detail sector‑specific breakdowns, the ministry noted that firms are adjusting workforce needs as they digitalise, automate and streamline operations — trends that have persisted since the pandemic years.

The uptick in layoffs comes despite broader economic stabilisation, suggesting that restructuring pressures remain strong even as Singapore’s economy continues to expand.

Despite the spike in retrenchments, Singapore’s labour market has generally remained stable, with unemployment rates staying low and job vacancies still outnumbering jobseekers.

Economists say the latest figures reflect a transitional phase as companies recalibrate roles and skill requirements, particularly in sectors undergoing technological shifts.

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由于企业重组，新加坡在 2026 年第二季度裁员人数达到 4,620 人，创下 2020 年底以来的最高水平。

人力部指出，裁员增加的主要原因是企业重组和自动化，而不是削减成本或关闭企业。

尽管裁员人数不断增加，但劳动力市场依然稳定，失业率低，职位空缺数量超过求职者人数。

新加坡，9 月 21 日——新加坡的裁员人数攀升至新冠疫情高峰期以来的最高水平，随着企业持续重组，预计 2026 年第二季度的裁员人数将大幅上升。

《南华早报》报道称，根据人力部最新发布的劳动力市场报告，今年4月至6月共有4620名工人被裁员，高于第一季度的3830人。这是自2020年底疫情引发大规模裁员以来最高的季度裁员数字。

该部委将这一增长主要归因于企业重组和结构调整，而不是成本削减或公司倒闭。

虽然该报告没有详细说明各行业的具体情况，但该部指出，随着企业实现数字化、自动化和精简运营，它们正在调整劳动力需求——这些趋势自疫情爆发以来一直持续存在。

尽管整体经济趋于稳定，但裁员人数却有所上升，这表明即使新加坡经济持续扩张，重组压力依然强劲。

尽管裁员人数激增，但新加坡的劳动力市场总体上保持稳定，失业率保持在较低水平，职位空缺数量仍然超过求职者数量。

经济学家表示，最新数据反映出企业正在重新调整岗位职责和技能要求，尤其是在经历技术变革的行业，这标志着企业进入了一个过渡阶段。

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