Singapore Fresh Graduates Face Longer Paths to First Jobs Amid Stable Degree Holder Employment

In Singapore's dynamic higher education landscape, recent university graduates are navigating a job market where securing that first full-time role often takes more time than in previous years. While immediate employment outcomes have softened slightly, long-term prospects for degree holders remain robust, with employment rates holding steady around 90 percent for those aged 25 to 29 over the past decade. This shift reflects a longer school-to-work transition rather than a structural decline, as highlighted by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng during a parliamentary session.

The Graduate Employment Survey (GES) for the Class of 2025, jointly conducted by Singapore's six autonomous universities—National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)—provides a comprehensive snapshot. Covering nearly 20,000 fresh graduates surveyed in November 2025, the results underscore resilience amid economic caution.

Key Insights from the 2025 GES: Steady but Selective Hiring

The survey reveals that 92.2 percent of graduates entered the labour force, up from 90.7 percent in 2024, signaling strong intent to work rather than pursue further studies immediately. Of those actively seeking jobs, 83.4 percent secured employment within six months of final exams—a slight dip but still indicative of solid employability. However, full-time permanent employment (defined as at least 35 hours per week on contracts of one year or more) stood at 74.4 percent, down from 79.4 percent the previous year and marking a third consecutive decline from post-COVID peaks.

Median gross monthly salaries held firm at S$4,500 across the cohort, with mean salaries edging up in some cases. For instance, NTU reported a mean gross of S$4,812 for full-time roles, up from S$4,701 in 2024. This stability in pay amidst softer hiring points to employers prioritizing quality fits over volume, often favoring candidates with practical experience.

Unemployment among job seekers rose marginally to 11.1 percent (from 8.8 percent), comprising those still hunting and a smaller group taking breaks. Yet, by June 2025, over 51.9 percent of the resident 2025 cohort were employed, an improvement from 47.9 percent for the prior year, per Ministry of Manpower (MOM) data.

Performance Across Singapore's Autonomous Universities

Individual university outcomes vary by programme strengths and industry alignments. NUS graduates showed strong results in high-demand fields: Dentistry achieved 100 percent full-time permanent employment, while Computing and Business Administration hovered around 82-92 percent with medians of S$6,000. NTU's Class of 2025 saw nine in 10 secure jobs within six months, excelling in Accountancy (96.7 percent), Biomedical Sciences (96.4 percent), and Civil Engineering (95.9 percent).

SMU maintained resilience with 91.4 percent overall secured employment; Computer Science grads hit 83.3 percent full-time permanent at a median S$6,000, outperforming Social Sciences at 74.4 percent (S$4,000 median). SUTD, SIT, and SUSS complemented this, with tech and applied programmes like SUSS Public Safety leading at S$5,000 median. Top performers like healthcare, engineering, and computing consistently exceed 90 percent employment, underscoring sector-specific demand.

• NUS: High in medicine (S$6,500 median), computing.
• NTU: Engineering, business strengths; mean salary up.
• SMU: Accountancy 97 percent secured; computing S$6,000+.
• SUTD/SIT/SUSS: Applied focus yields 80-90 percent rates.

Government View: A Transition, Not a Crisis

Minister Tan See Leng contextualized the trends as a normalization post-COVID hiring surges. While fresh full-time rates dipped to 74.4 percent for 2025 grads (from 87.5 percent in 2022), degree holders aged 25-29 maintain 90 percent employment stability. This suggests most eventually secure roles, albeit after extended searches—potentially 6-12 months for some.

MOM data supports no broad decline: Resident fresh university graduate employment rose to 51.9 percent by mid-2025. The minister emphasized viewing beyond short-term fluctuations, attributing delays to cautious employer hiring amid global uncertainties.

Photo by TSquared Lab on Unsplash

Underlying Challenges: Competition and Skill Gaps

Singapore's universities produce over 19,000 graduates annually, intensifying competition. Private institutions fare worse, with only 46.9 percent full-time permanent roles. Key hurdles include:

• Cautious Employers: Post-pandemic backlog hiring peaked; now, firms prioritize experienced hires amid economic slowdown forecasts.
• Skills Mismatch: One in five workers overqualified; grads lack internships (20-30 percent shortfall in some fields).
• Networks Matter: Those without early exposure struggle; CNA polls show 26.7 percent of recent grads jobless full-time.
• Sector Shifts: AI, tech demand computing/engineering; humanities/social sciences lag (74 percent full-time).

Global factors like US visa issues and regional slowdowns compound local pressures.

University Responses: Boosting Employability Through Practical Training

Singapore's institutes of higher learning (IHLs) are proactive. NTU's Career & Attachment Office (CAO) offers year-long post-grad support: coaching, job alerts, workshops. A Civil Engineering grad credited CAO for TCS role via resume tweaks and interviews.

NUS integrates industry projects; SMU emphasizes cum laude outcomes (higher rates/salaries). SIT/SUTD focus applied learning; SUSS targets adult learners with 87 percent six-month employment. Partnerships abound: NTU-Nestle health research, SMU-UNDP green talent.

NTU's CAO exemplifies comprehensive career guidance, linking grads to 1,000+ employers annually.

Case Studies: Grads Thriving Despite Delays

Ahmadul Matin (NTU EEE) landed at Tata Consultancy post-internship via CAO. NUS Computing alum secured S$6,500 fintech role after three months' networking. SMU Accountancy topper hit S$5,000 Big Four immediately, crediting moot courts.

These stories highlight persistence: many pivot to freelance/temps (rising 1-2 percent), building portfolios before full-time leaps.

Emerging Opportunities: Tech and Lifelong Learning

High-demand fields shine: Healthcare/teaching/STEM top employability lists. NTU/ NUS computing medians exceed S$6,000; engineering 90+ percent employed. Government's SkillsFuture-Skills and Workforce Development Agency merger centralizes training/job matching.

IHLs expand internships; 70 percent overseas exposure target by 2028. AI literacy mandates (NTU/NUS) prepare for disruption.

MOM's Q1 2026 report forecasts continued growth, albeit moderated.

Photo by Eugene Lim on Unsplash

Actionable Advice for Aspiring Grads

To shorten job hunts:

• Secure internships early (IHLs mandate 20-40 weeks).
• Build networks via career fairs, LinkedIn (target 500+ connections).
• Upskill: SkillsFuture credits for AI/data analytics.
• Tailor CVs: Quantify projects (e.g., "Led team optimizing algorithm, 20% efficiency gain").
• Consider hybrids: Freelance builds experience.

Explore tips for academic CVs adaptable to industry.

Looking Ahead: Resilient Prospects

Despite longer transitions, Singapore ranks second globally in education-to-career success (Henley Index 2026). NUS tops Asia employability; universities adapt via industry ties. With 90 percent long-term employment, fresh grads' perseverance pays—most thrive by 25-29.

Stakeholders—government, IHLs, employers—collaborate for inclusive growth, ensuring degrees deliver enduring value.