SINGAPORE, February 26 – The latest foundit Insights Tracker (fit) report has revealed a mixed employment landscape across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia and the Philippines experiencing strong retail hiring growth, while Singapore faces a decline. Malaysia led the region with an 85% year-on-year (YoY) increase in retail hiring, followed by the Philippines at 75%, fueled by rising consumer demand and retail expansion. In contrast, Singapore saw a 9% drop, attributed to its mature online shopping sector.
Malaysia’s overall hiring activity rose by 10%, driven by a 42% YoY increase in the hospitality sector and a 25% surge in software, hardware, and telecom roles. The Philippines recorded a 20% hiring growth, with a notable 64% increase in logistics and supply chain jobs. Singapore, however, saw an 11% decline in hiring, with a 45% drop in tech roles. founditCEO V. Suresh highlighted the region’s evolving job market, emphasizing that businesses leveraging digital strategies while prioritizing employee well-being will sustain long-term growth.
