In the dynamic world of recruitment, knowing how frequently employees move jobs is as vital as knowing which skills are in demand. Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Labour Turnover data, including the Recruitment and Resignation Rates, provides a clear temperature check on talent confidence and market tightness.

At AethelRa Consulting, we translate this raw data into strategic insights for your business. Here is our analysis of the key labour turnover trends observed in the latest figures.

The Latest Picture: Moderation and Stability

Looking at the most recent quarterly data, the overarching trend is one of moderation toward stability, moving away from the extreme churn seen in the immediate post-pandemic years (2021-2022).

• Average Monthly Recruitment Rate: This rate, representing the percentage of employees hired monthly, has shown a gradual cooling. While recruitment remains robust—indicating companies are still actively hiring—the pace has eased. This suggests that the backlog of post-pandemic hiring has been addressed, and companies are now focusing on more strategic, quality placements rather than mass hiring.
• Average Monthly Resignation Rate: This rate, reflecting the percentage of employees voluntarily leaving, is highly indicative of employee confidence. When this rate is high, employees feel confident in finding better opportunities. The recent decrease in the resignation rate shows that while movement persists, the intense “Great Reshuffle” period has subsided. Employees are still changing jobs, but potentially with more deliberation than before.

Key Insights for Strategic Recruitment

The data confirms that the Singapore labour market, while tight, is becoming more predictable. This has critical implications for your talent strategy:

1. Quality over Quantity in Recruitment

The moderated recruitment rate means companies can no longer rely on sheer volume to find talent. The market is settling, and the candidates actively moving are often highly sought-after.

• Action for Employers: Focus resources on precision talent acquisition—a core strength of AethelRa. This involves targeted headhunting, exceptional candidate experience, and competitive value propositions to attract the best talent efficiently.

2. The Retention Imperative is Stronger

The resignation rate, though lower than its peak, still shows significant movement. This reinforces the need for strong employee retention strategies.

• Action for Employers: Companies must assess their internal systems, benefits, and development opportunities. If your turnover rate significantly exceeds the national average (which the MOM data helps benchmark), it’s a clear signal to review your employee value proposition (EVP) and leadership practices to halt unnecessary departures.

3. Sector-Specific Hotspots

When drilling down into the Summary Table data by industry, we see distinct patterns of turnover:

• Sectors with High Churn (Services): Historically, sectors like Accommodation & Food Services and certain areas of Administrative & Support Services maintain high recruitment and resignation rates. This indicates a high-volume, high-turnover environment that requires continuous, fast-paced recruitment and strong temporary staffing solutions.
• Sectors with Lower Churn (Professional): Sectors like Financial & Insurance Services and Professional Services often exhibit lower turnover rates. This is characteristic of an industry with higher-skilled, long-term careers. Here, the focus shifts entirely from volume to quality of cultural fit and career progression paths.

Partnering with Market Experts

At AethelRa Consulting, expertise, resourcefulness, dedication, and efficiency aren’t mere buzzwords—they’re how we help you turn MOM market insights into strategic advantage.

We use these figures to advise you on when to offer premium packages, where to focus retention efforts, and how to structure your offers to secure top talent in a competitive, yet moderating, market.

Need to benchmark your company’s internal turnover against the Singapore industry standard? Contact us today for a consultation on optimizing your recruitment and retention strategy.