Fresh Graduates in Singapore Adjust Salary Expectations Amid Economic Challenges
Fresh graduates may need to adjust salary expectations amid economic uncertainty: Analysts

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Fresh university graduates in Singapore may need to lower their salary expectations due to economic uncertainty, as a survey reveals many earn less than anticipated. Analysts warn that unrealistic expectations could prolong job searches and create hiring challenges.
- 01Around 30.6% of graduates rejected job offers due to low pay, as per the Ministry of Manpower's 2025 survey.
- 02Median salaries for IT graduates were S$5,150, significantly lower than their expected S$6,000.
- 03Only law and education graduates reported salaries meeting or exceeding their expectations.
- 04Employers are likely to be conservative with salary increases amidst global economic uncertainty.
- 05Prolonged mismatches between expectations and available roles may lead to underemployment.
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A recent survey by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) indicates that fresh university graduates may need to adjust their salary expectations due to ongoing economic uncertainty. The 2025 School-to-Work Transition Study revealed that 30.6% of graduates rejected job offers primarily due to low pay. Many graduates across various fields, including information technology and engineering, reported earnings significantly below their expectations, with IT graduates earning a median of S$5,150 against an anticipated S$6,000. While salaries are expected to rise, MOM cautions that employers may adopt a conservative approach to salary increases, influenced by inflation and global economic pressures. Analysts suggest that unrealistic salary expectations could frustrate job seekers and prolong their search, potentially leading to underemployment. The findings highlight a structural gap between graduate expectations and market realities, necessitating a recalibration of expectations to align better with current job offerings.
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Graduates may face prolonged job searches and underemployment due to mismatched salary expectations.
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