Hiring intentions in Singapore are at their weakest since Q3 of 2009, according to the latest Manpower employment outlook survey.

Only 14% of employers indicated they expect to increase headcount, with 76% expecting to keep headcount the same, while 4% say they plan to decrease workforce numbers.  

The latest evidence of negative sentiment comes after five consecutive quarters of decline. The brightest spots were finance, insurance, real estate, mining and construction, as well as the services sector, which all reported net hiring intentions of +12%.