Retrenchments in Singapore increased in the second quarter of 2026 after remaining stable over the past few quarters, as businesses in selected outward-oriented sectors underwent restructuring amid ongoing economic uncertainty. According to advance estimates from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the number of retrenchments rose from 3,830 in the first quarter of 2026 to 4,500 in Q2 2026. Advance estimates indicated that employment expanded for the 19th consecutive quarter since the fourth quarter of 2021, while unemployment remained low and stable. Following slower growth in non-resident employment during the first quarter, overall employment growth in Q2 was mainly driven by non-resident workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors . For employers , support is available through initiatives such as the Career Conversion Programmes and Mid-Career Pathways Programme.