Singapore Employers Adopt More Strategic Hiring as Business Priorities Evolve, New ASEAN Survey Finds

Reeracoen Group x Rakuten Insight survey shows Singapore businesses are investing in AI and targeted hiring to build future-ready workforces

SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Singaporean businesses are strengthening workforce capability through targeted hiring and increased investment in AI and technology, according to The Great Restructuring: ASEAN Consumer & Business Pulse Survey 2026, published by Reeracoen Group in partnership with Rakuten Insight.

Among the subset of Singapore businesses reporting improving revenue, 52% continue to hire selectively while 23% are expanding headcount, suggesting organisations are prioritising critical capabilities and long-term productivity as they prepare for future growth. Singapore also recorded the highest proportion of businesses identifying AI and technology as a growth opportunity among the six ASEAN markets surveyed.

Striking a Balance: Businesses Combine Selective Hiring with Investment in AI, Technology and Operational Capabilities

With Singaporean businesses adopting a more strategic approach to growth and workforce planning, selective hiring remains the dominant hiring stance at 32%, as employers focus on building the capabilities needed for future growth.

"Today's hiring environment is no longer about filling vacancies quickly. Employers are becoming more deliberate in identifying the capabilities they need to support long-term business priorities. Organisations that clearly define critical roles and invest in workforce capability will be better positioned to attract and retain the right talent," said Shoichi Sunaga, Branch Manager, Reeracoen Singapore.

Singapore leads the six markets surveyed in AI and technology investment intent, with 33% of businesses citing AI and technology as a top growth opportunity. Operational efficiency (40%) and supply chain diversification (26%) are also key priorities, reflecting how technology, workforce and business strategies are increasingly shaped by digitalisation.

"What stands out in Singapore is how businesses are balancing a measured outlook with continued investment in future capabilities. The strong focus on AI, technology and operational efficiency suggests that businesses are not simply responding to uncertainty, but actively positioning themselves for longer-term growth," said Cheryl Ng, Country Director, Singapore, Rakuten Insight.

Strategic Pragmatists: A Selective Labour Market That Values Stability

Just 13% of Singapore-based workers surveyed indicated that they are interested in a career change, the lowest in the ASEAN region. This figure suggests a workforce that values stability and is selective when it comes to job hunting. Of the comparatively small proportion of Singapore-based respondents considering a career change, 32% cite AI and automation as their primary motivator — the second-highest proportion among the six markets surveyed, behind Vietnam (39%).

As a nation of strategic pragmatists, consumers surveyed in Singapore are prioritising financial resilience, with saving emerging as the top financial response (59%).

For the full six-market findings, including country-by-country profiles and a Leadership Playbook of eight strategic priorities for regional expansion, download The Great Restructuring: ASEAN Consumer & Business Pulse Survey 2026.

Download the report at:
https://www.reeracoen.sg/en/events/client-the-great-restructuring-ASEAN-consumer-business-pulse-survey-2026?utm_source=sg_pr&utm_medium=cta&utm_id=asean-whitepaper-2026

About Reeracoen Group

Reeracoen is a leading Asia-based recruitment and HR solutions group, connecting talent with forward-thinking organisations across the region. With 9 offices across 6 major Asian markets, Reeracoen combines deep local market expertise with cross-border recruitment capabilities to support sustainable business growth.

Beyond recruitment, Reeracoen provides market intelligence, workforce insights, salary research, and employer advisory services, helping organisations make informed talent and business decisions in an evolving regional economy.

Reeracoen's commitment to service excellence has been recognised through multiple industry awards, including Best Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency (2025, 2026), Client Service Excellence Award (2026), Best International Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Agency (2024), and Best Executive Recruitment Agency (2024).

For more information, visit www.reeracoen.sg.

About Rakuten Insight

Rakuten Insight, Inc. is a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., a global leader in internet services headquartered in Tokyo.

Established in 1997 as AIP Corporation and integrated into the Rakuten Group in 2014, Rakuten Insight operates a research panel focused on 12 major Asian markets and the United States, with a panel network spanning 60 countries and regions.

With offices in 11 countries and regions, the company provides market research for more than 500 leading companies worldwide. Rakuten Insight Singapore serves as a regional hub providing multi-lingual and multi-functional operational support for clients across Southeast Asia.

For more information, visit https://insight.rakuten.com.