Singapore Layoffs A Shocking 2025 Crisis?

Singapore has entered 2025 with a wave of high-profile layoffs. From ExxonMobil to Jetstar Asia, Mediacorp, and Ninja Van, job cuts have dominated headlines and raised questions about the country’s future. Some wonder if these layoffs signal that companies are leaving Singapore. The evidence suggests otherwise. Most firms are staying, but the layoffs highlight deeper structural shifts in industries and talent flows.

Energy Sector Layoffs and Restructuring

ExxonMobil announced plans to reduce 10 to 15 per cent of its Singapore workforce by 2027. With around 3,500 employees, that means up to 500 jobs. These layoffs will roll out gradually. At the same time, ExxonMobil will relocate its downtown office to Jurong.

The layoffs reflect restructuring, not retreat. ExxonMobil is cutting costs through automation, predictive maintenance, and digital monitoring. Fewer staff are needed in support roles. The company keeps Singapore as a refining hub but uses targeted layoffs to stay competitive.

Aviation and Travel Adjustments

Qantas decided to shut Jetstar Asia, one of the rare full exits from Singapore. The move will result in about 500 job losses. High costs and stiff competition from AirAsia and Scoot made the market unattractive.

Other travel firms are trimming without leaving. Agoda shed about 50 roles, while Changi Travel Services made smaller reductions. These cuts show how outsourcing and AI booking tools change business models. They are connected to efficiency, not withdrawal.

Logistics Under Pressure

Ninja Van retrenched about 12 per cent of its staff in Singapore. These layoffs stemmed from strong competition, higher costs, and automation in parcel sorting. AI routing and robotics replace traditional planning roles.

The logistics sector remains vital, but the layoffs show that technology is reshaping operations. Firms want efficiency and increasingly outsource parts of their work to cheaper hubs.

Media and Communications Shifts

Mediacorp, Singapore’s broadcaster, cut 93 jobs. The fall in TV advertising and growth of digital platforms drove the decision. We. Communications, a global PR firm, also reduced staff.

These cuts underline how AI editing tools and digital-first strategies reshape media. Fewer people are required, even as firms remain committed to Singapore.

Finance and Tech Facing Transition

Finance has not yet seen major headline layoffs in 2025, but changes are underway. Banks are using AI for compliance and outsourcing back-office roles. Future layoffs are likely.

Tech also faces pressure. Virtuos, a game developer headquartered in Singapore, carried out global staff cuts. While still based here, the firm shows how companies slim down even while keeping their footprint.

Global Visa Rules and Local Impact

The United States recently introduced a US$100,000 petition fee for new H-1B visas. Singaporeans are exempt through the H-1B1 scheme, but the broader restrictions have consequences.

Talent unable to enter the U.S. looks to Asia instead. Singapore becomes a key hub. For local workers, this means more competition at a time when layoffs already reduce opportunities. Skilled professionals arriving from overseas strengthen the talent pool but also raise pressure in high-skill roles.

Transformation, Not Exodus

Despite these changes, the evidence does not show a corporate exodus. Multinationals still value Singapore’s stability, connectivity, and legal system. The pattern of layoffs signals transformation. Mid-level functions are automated, outsourced, or shifted elsewhere. High-skill roles in AI, cybersecurity, management, and trading remain.

Singapore’s Challenge

For policymakers, the challenge is clear. Reskilling is urgent. Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture must scale faster. Local workers need to pivot into roles shaped by AI and data. Without action, the mid-level workforce could shrink even if headquarters stay. Aside from that, policymakers should consider building up the strength of SMEs. In the long run, these SMEs will bolster Singapore’s growth into the region and thus keeping future generation Singaporeans employed.

The layoffs of 2025 show how technology, outsourcing, and global visa changes reshape Singapore. These developments should be seen as transformation, not retreat.