1,700 more unemployed graduates in 2025 cohort led to increased sense of job competition: Tan See Leng

 

SINGAPORE: Fresh graduates in 2025 are feeling stronger competition in their job searches partly because more in their cohort are entering the job market immediately after graduation, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said on Tuesday (Sep 23).

There were about 2,400 more fresh graduates who had entered the labour force instead of taking a break or pursuing further studies as of June, compared to the same time last year, he told parliament.

"Even though there were about 700 more fresh graduates who were employed, the additional 1,700 active jobseekers who had yet to find a job may have contributed to a stronger sense of job competition among fresh graduates," he said.

He also listed the external factors that have added to anxieties – economic headwinds from increased trade tensions, the imposition of tariffs and geopolitical conflict, and growing concerns over artificial intelligence taking over entry-level jobs.

Dr Tan displayed a chart that showed the increase in the number of fresh graduates who had entered the labour force and were looking for jobs as of this June, compared to last June. This led to the increase in the number of fresh graduates who are unemployed.

Statistics show that employment rates for fresh graduates have actually improved from 2024 to 2025, he said.

As of this June, around 9,300 or 52 per cent of graduates from the 2025 cohort were employed.

This is 700 more than the roughly 8,600 or 48 per cent of graduates from the 2024 cohort employed at the same time last year.

The proportion of graduates in permanent employment has also improved from about 37 per cent in 2024 to 44 per cent in 2025.

"These figures will improve further as many graduates were only beginning their job searches in June," said Dr Tan, pointing to the employment rate of the 2024 cohort, which rose from the previously mentioned 48 per cent last June to 88 per cent this June.

"Even though graduate employment rates remain stable, we need to support the additional influx of graduates looking for work," he said.

Dr Tan was responding to questions filed by 17 parliamentarians from both sides of the House about the jobs situation for fresh graduates and a new government-funded traineeship programme for graduates.

This comes amid growing job anxieties among young graduates.

A CNA straw poll of more than 100 recent graduates in August found that intense competition from their peers was the top concern, followed by the limited job openings and low starting salaries.

Singapore's latest quarterly labour market report recorded a higher unemployment rate for those below the age of 30. It rose from 5.4 per cent in March to 5.7 per cent in June.

CNA asked MOM how the labour statistics distinguish between graduates who are outside the labour force and graduates who are unemployed.

"Those who are actively looking but have not yet found work are classified as unemployed," said a ministry spokesperson.

"Those not working or not seeking work are classified as outside the labour force. Apart from further studies or taking a break, reasons can include retirement, caregiving or long-term illness, though these are less applicable to younger individuals."

The spokesperson added that MOM tracks the employment status of fresh graduates through its regular Labour Force Survey, and not through job applications.

Source : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/