Singapore's foreign workforce reached approximately 1.44 million valid work pass holders by the end of 2025, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak recorded in 2019. This recovery reflects both the reopening of borders following COVID-19 restrictions and sustained demand across key sectors including construction, manufacturing, and services.
The composition of Singapore's foreign workforce is shaped by a tiered work pass system — Work Permits for semi-skilled workers, S Passes for mid-level skilled workers, and Employment Passes for professionals — each governed by distinct salary thresholds, levy requirements, and quota restrictions. Understanding trends across these pass types provides insight into both labour market demand and the evolving direction of workforce policy.
Key Findings
- Total foreign workforce grew 5.9% year-over-year in 2025, reaching 1.44 million work pass holders
- Work Permit holders account for 75% of the foreign workforce at 1.08 million — now exceeding the 2019 pre-pandemic level of 1.03 million
- S Pass numbers reached 205,000 in 2025, reflecting growing demand for mid-skilled workers in services and manufacturing
Foreign Workforce by Pass Type (2016–2025)
The line chart above tracks the three major work pass categories over a decade. The sharp contraction in 2020 reflects Singapore's border closures during COVID-19, which hit Work Permit holders hardest — dropping from 1.03 million in 2019 to 848,000 in 2020, a decline of 17.5%. Recovery began in 2022, with the workforce returning to pre-pandemic levels by late 2024. For a detailed analysis of temporary employment patterns within this workforce, see our temporary workers research.
Foreign Workers by Industry Sector (2025)
Construction remains the single largest employer of foreign Work Permit holders at 378,000 workers, followed by domestic work (261,000) and manufacturing (259,000). Together, construction and domestic work account for 59% of all Work Permit holders. The construction sector's workforce dynamics are explored in depth in our construction workforce analysis.
Work Pass Distribution: 2020 vs 2025
Comparing 2020 (the pandemic trough) with 2025 reveals a workforce that has not only recovered but shifted in composition. Work Permit numbers grew 27.4%, while S Pass holders increased 17.1%. Employment Pass numbers grew modestly at 7.9%, reflecting tightened qualifying criteria under the COMPASS framework introduced in 2023.
About the Data
Data presented in this dashboard is compiled from the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) quarterly Foreign Workforce Numbers publication, which reports the number of valid work pass holders as at the end of each reporting period. Figures represent stock counts (total valid passes) rather than flow data (new passes issued).
Historical data from 2016–2019 is sourced from MOM's archived statistical releases. Data from 2020 onwards reflects the revised reporting format introduced in Q1 2020. All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise stated.
This dashboard was last updated in January 2026 using data current through Q4 2025.
Definitions
Work Permit (WP): A pass issued to semi-skilled foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process, and services sectors. Subject to foreign worker levy and dependency ratio ceiling (quota).
S Pass: A pass for mid-level skilled workers who meet a minimum qualifying salary (S$3,150/month as of September 2025) and possess relevant qualifications or work experience.
Employment Pass (EP): A pass for foreign professionals, managers, and executives who earn above a qualifying salary threshold and meet the COMPASS framework criteria.
Foreign Workforce: In this dashboard, refers to all holders of Work Permits, S Passes, and Employment Passes. Does not include Personalised Employment Passes, EntrePass holders, or dependants.
Recommended Citation
Integras World Research. (2026). Singapore Foreign Workforce Overview: Statistics & Trends. Retrieved from https://integrasworld.com/data/foreign-workforce-overview/
Original data source: Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Foreign Workforce Numbers. Available at mom.gov.sg.