More fresh graduates found jobs compared with 2024 cohort

More students from the 2025 graduating cohort entered the workforce soon after university than the previous cohort, with a lower proportion of them taking a break or seeking further studies.

- Tay Hong

On Sept 17, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released data for fresh graduate employment for the first time, alongside its finalised second-quarter labour market report, amid emerging concerns about a tough job market for new entrants.

As at June 2025, 9,300 fresh resident graduates were employed, for an employment rate of 51.9 per cent up from 8,600 graduates and an employment rate of 47.9 per cent for the previous cohort.

In a media briefing held during a visit to CapitaLand Group on Sept 17, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said a greater supply of fresh graduates amid hiring caution among employers contributed to the tougher job search some face.

"What may not be very evident is, compared to previous years, more fresh graduates... (are) putting off pursuing further degrees," he said.

There were about 2,400 fewer fresh graduates as at June 2025 who were taking a break or going for further studies, compared with the same time a year ago. And there were about 700 more who were in jobs in June 2025 compared with June 2024.

The additional number of fresh graduate job seekers likely reflects the added pressure to look for a job first, given the economic outlook, Dr Tan added.

MOM also released a list of entry-level professional, managerial, executive and technical roles with the most openings based on job advertisements as at June, totalling 4,300 jobs.

Overall, there were more than 30,000 entry-level roles available, Dr Tan noted.

Research and development manager was the role in greatest demand with 510 openings.

Building construction engineers, quantity surveyors, research officers, nurses, social workers and software developers were among the other roles with more openings, accounting for nearly 1,700 roles in all.