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- 92.2% of graduates were in the labour force in 2025, an increase from 90.7% the previous year.
- 88.9% secured employment within six months of completing their final examinations.
- Median gross monthly salary for those in full-time permanent employment remained at S$4,500.
Fresh graduates from Singapore’s autonomous universities saw slightly softer employment outcomes in 2025, reflecting a more cautious hiring environment.
According to the 2025 Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES), 92.2% of recent graduates were in the labour force, meaning they were either working or actively looking for work. This was an increase from 90.7% in 2024.
Among those in the labour force, 88.9% secured employment within six months of completing their final examinations, a decrease from 91.2% the year before. Secured employment refers to graduates who were employed, had accepted a job offer, or were taking active steps to start a business venture.
The survey also found that 83.4% were currently employed, with 74.4% were in full-time permanent employment. Freelancing accounted for 1.8% of graduates, while 7.2% were in part-time or temporary roles.
Meanwhile, the median gross monthly salary for fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment remained unchanged at S$4,500 in 2025, the same as in 2024.
The survey was conducted by Singapore’s six autonomous universities, namely the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology, as well as Singapore University of Social Sciences. It gathered responses from 14,397 graduates, representing a response rate of 73.7%.
Hiring demand moderates amid economic uncertainty
In recent years, the number of job vacancies has moderated from the post-pandemic peak as labour market churn eased and hiring slowed.
The report noted that employers have taken a more cautious hiring approach amid broader economic uncertainty and geopolitical developments. Some outward-oriented sectors, including information and communications, saw more subdued hiring compared with previous years.
Despite this, entry-level opportunities remain available. Based on labour market data, around four in ten entry-level vacancies are in growth sectors such as financial and insurance services as well as professional services.
Common roles in these sectors include financial compliance officers, risk analysts, and auditors.
Employment outcomes tend to improve after the six-month mark
The survey captures a snapshot of employment outcomes about six months after graduates complete their final examinations.
However, employment outcomes typically improve over time as more graduates secure jobs. For instance, the employment rate for the 2024 cohort (87%) was initially two percentage points lower than that of the 2023 cohort (89%). By the 12-month mark, administrative wage records showed that about 95% of graduates in both cohorts had wage records.
The remaining proportion includes graduates who were not employed, pursuing further studies, working overseas, or engaged in freelance or self-employed work that may not be reflected in wage records.
Universities and agencies step up career support
More efforts are being undertaken to support graduates who are still seeking employment, according to the survey.
This includes engagements with those who may require additional support and providing personalised career guidance, as well as job opportunity sharing, career fairs, recruitment events, workshops, and talks.
Employment outcomes by course cluster (2025)
The survey also provided a breakdown of employment outcomes across different course clusters.
Information and digital technologies recorded the highest median salary at S$5,500, while health sciences saw one of the strongest employment outcomes among the clusters.
| Course cluster | Secured employment | Currently employed | Full-time employment | Median gross month salary |
| Arts, design & media | 83.9% | 77.5% | 50.0% | S$3,840 |
| Built environment | 90.4% | 84.8% | 78.2% | S$4,268 |
| Business | 91.2% | 87.0% | 77.8% | S$4,400 |
| Engineering | 85.9% | 80.0% | 72.1% | S$4,600 |
| Health sciences | 98.2% | 94.7% | 89.2% | S$4,050 |
| Humanities & social sciences | 88.0% | 82.2% | 70.7% | S$4,350 |
| Information & digital technologies | 88.4% | 84.2% | 78.3% | S$5,500 |
| Sciences | 85.9% | 80.1% | 69.1% | S$4,200 |
| Overall | 88.9% | 83.4% | 74.4% | S$4,500 |
Follow-up survey outcomes (2025)
A separate follow-up survey was also conducted for graduates from courses that typically require practical training before entering their professions, such as architecture, medicine, and pharmacy. The survey covered more than 270 graduates from NUS, NTU, and SUTD, with employment status tracked as at 1 November 2025, representing a response rate of 35.1%.
Among those in the labour force, 99.3% had secured employment, with 97.8% in full-time permanent roles. The median gross monthly salary for graduates in full-time permanent employment was S$5,500.
| Employment indicators | Percentage |
| Secured employment | 99.3% |
| Currently employed | 98.9% |
| In full-time permanent (FTP) employment | 97.8% |
| Freelancing | 0.8% |
| In part-time/temporary employment | 0.4% |
| Accepted a job offer and starting later | 0.0% |
| Taking active steps to start a business venture | 0.4% |
| Not secured employment | |
| Received but rejected FTP job offers | 0.8% |
| Applied but had not received FTP job offer | 0.0% |
| Did not search for any FTP job | 0.0% |
| Median gross monthly salary (FTP employment) | S$5,500 |
Overall, despite a more cautious hiring environment, most graduates continue to find employment within their first year after graduation.
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