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1st
in Asia, 2nd worldwide for most attractive destination for global talent1
1st
in Asia, 2nd worldwide in English proficiency and 97.6% adult literacy rate in Singapore2
1st
in Asia for high-level skills and talent impact3
Southeast Asia-ready talent pool
World-class education
Commitment to lifelong learning
Global talent hub
Meet our Singapore talent
Southeast Asia is poised to be the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, and Singapore is a strategic choice for your business with its quality talent pool.
Our bilingual education policy also means that Singaporeans are proficient in English and at least one other Asian language, such as Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, or Tamil.
97.6%
Adult literacy rate in Singapore
Source: Singapore Department of Statistics, Education, Language Spoken and Literacy, Literacy Rate (among residents aged 15 yrs & over), 2021
>70%
of literate residents* can read 2 or more languages *Aged 15 years and over
Source: Department of Statistics, Singapore Census of Population 2020
Our tertiary institutes consistently rank among the world’s best, producing a highly skilled and competitive workforce that stays at the forefront of innovation.
We partner with leading companies such as IBM, Salesforce, Keppel, and Applied Materials to advance expertise in critical fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blockchain, and robotics.
1st and 3rd in Asia
8th and 15th worldwide in university rankings
Source: QS World University Rankings 2025
QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities | Top Universities
7th in the world
for university-industry research and development collaboration
Source: Global Innovation Index, Innovation Trends and Report 2022
38 educational institutes
and foreign universities hosted by Singapore, providing specialised degree programmes in business, science and technology, and arts.
The Singapore Government believes in lifelong learning and invests in upskilling initiatives to prepare Singaporeans for future-focused industries, creating a sustainable talent pipeline.
S$100 million
Government spending to support companies' upscaling and skills training
Source: Ministry of Trade and Industry, Budget 2022 Singapore Economy 2030: Seizing Opportunities, Energising Enterprises
>30 initiatives
across early- to mid-career segments to develop the workforce to be future-ready
Source: INSEAD, The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2022
>6 in 10
Workers employed in high-skilled employment
Source: Ministry of Manpower, Labour Force in Singapore Advance Release 2022
Singapore’s open economy attracts a diverse international pool of the best talent across all sectors – including business leaders, industry specialists, and visionaries. Our array of hiring passes and schemes is tailored to help you build your A-team here.
Personalised 5-year renewable ONE Pass
We continuously review our hiring frameworks and work passes. The ONE Pass introduced in 2022, allows top talent to concurrently start, operate, and work for multiple companies at any one time.
Click here to apply for ONE Pass at the Ministry of Manpower’s website.
Targeted manpower schemes to support expansion
To support companies’ growth and development plans, the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme was enhanced in 2025 to allow firms flexibility to hire global talent.
Certainty and clarity in planning manpower needs
The Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS), a points-based system introduced in 2023 helps companies to evaluate and obtain Employment Passes (EP) through a self-assessment tool, based on attributes such as in-demand skills.
Singapore’s workforce of 2.4 million(i) is made up of highly skilled, well-educated residents and a complementary global talent pool. Our emphasis on continuous learning and skills development has established Singapore as Asia’s leading destination for talent development and attraction(ii). This robust talent ecosystem enables companies to maintain their competitive edge and drive innovation.
Hear from Singaporeans contributing to globally-leading enterprises anchored in Singapore here.
Sources: (i) 2,446,400 based on MOM Labour Force Report 2024; (ii) INSEAD,
The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023
President and Managing Director of SAP Southeast Asia, Verena Siow, shares how Singapore and its strong global talent pool contribute to the company’s growth.
Embark on your business journey here with confidence. From setting up, to hiring employees in Singapore, these comprehensive guides are here to assist you every step of the way.
Guide to Setting Up in Singapore
Guide to Setting Up in SingaporeFrom legal and finance to real estate needs, our handy guide has the answers.
Go to guide
Guide to Hiring In Singapore
Guide to Hiring In SingaporeGet familiar with the platforms, key policies, and schemes for hiring employees in Singapore and building your A-team.
Go to guideExplore the hiring policies and schemes that are designed to support your business in acquiring and nurturing talent needed to drive business impact and growth.
For a detailed comparison of the work passes, please refer to the Work Pass Comparison Table.
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
A personalised 5-year renewable pass for top talent to take up various roles in Singapore. Benefits:
|
S$30,000 |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
A two-year pass that allows established global tech talent, including entrepreneurs, leaders, investors or technical experts, to take on multiple economic activities and plug into Singapore's vibrant tech ecosystem. Benefits:
If you are an experienced founder who is building your next venture, you may want to find out more about EDB’s Global Founder Programme (GFP) and the support package including manpower and visa facilitation, capital, and connections. |
S$22,500 |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
Provides greater flexibility for high-earning Employment Pass holders and overseas global professionals. Benefits:
|
Existing EP holders: Fixed monthly salary of at least S$12,000 Overseas global professionals: Fixed monthly salary of at least S$18,000 |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
Enables global professionals, managers and executives with eligible and recognised qualifications to work in Singapore. Benefits:
|
S$5,000* *S$5,600 with effect from 1 Jan 2025. For more details, visit MOM |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
Mid-level skilled staff can apply for this pass to work in Singapore. Benefits:
|
S$3,000 $4,650, subject to progressive increase with age. |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
Caters to foreign entrepreneurs wanting to start and operate an innovative tech or venture-backed startup in Singapore. Benefits:
|
No salary requirements |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
Allows semi-skilled workers from approved source countries and regions to work in specific sectors in Singapore. |
No salary requirements |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
Allows spouses and children of Employment Pass or S Pass holders to join them in Singapore. |
Pegged to requirements for Employment Pass and S Pass holders |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
A facilitation scheme that provides up to 10 new EPs to help fast-growing companies access the global talent to scale up in Asia. Benefits:
|
S$5,000 |
| Overview | Minimum monthly salary required |
A one-year talent exchange scheme with Indonesia, Tech:X enables young tech professionals (< 30 years old) from Singapore and Indonesia to work in each other’s countries in a tech-related job, allowing them to pursue growing opportunities in the digital economy. For Singapore-based companies keen to participate in this programme, contact client_services@edb.gov.sg for more information. |
S$3,000 |
Singapore is invested in developing a local competitive talent base to meet your talent needs. To ensure a level playing field in terms of access to job opportunities, all employers in Singapore must comply with laws and regulations on fair hiring by adopting and adhering to the Fair Consideration Framework.
The Framework sets out requirements for all employers to consider individuals equally for available job vacancies, such as advertising jobs on relevant platforms.
Singapore’s robust support system ensures your business effortlessly hires its A-team through guides, job portals, and government recruitment platforms.
Guide to Building Your Dream Tech Team
Guide to Building Your Dream Tech TeamLearn to navigate our talent landscape and get hiring tips to stay ahead of the tech talent crunch.
Go to guide
Connections Concierge
Connections ConciergeConnect with a curated directory of HR and recruitment service providers for hiring and setting up in Singapore.
Learn more
SkillsFuture & Workforce Singapore Employers’ Portal
SkillsFuture & Workforce Singapore Employers’ Portal Delve into development schemes for local talent, from funding support for employee training to skills transformation.
Learn more
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