Singaporean businesses are strengthening workforce capability through targeted hiring and increased investment in AI and technology, according to a report published by Reeracoen Group in partnership with Rakuten Insight.
The research involved a survey conducted in September 2026, covering 3,630 respondents across Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
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.
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.
Shoichi Sunaga, branch manager at Reeracoen Singapore, said that the current 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 Sunaga.
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,” said Cheryl Ng, Singapore country director at Rakuten Insight.
“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, Singapore country director at Rakuten Insight.
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%).
