Singapore Jobs: 147 Shortage Occupations for 2027
Singapore jobs in demand: MOM's 2027 Shortage Occupation List names 147 job titles, from AI engineers to radiographers, where workers are hard to find.
WorldwideIn brief
- Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has updated its Shortage Occupation List for 2027.
- The list covers seven industries, 30 occupational categories and 147 job titles.
- In-demand roles include AI/ML engineers, penetration testers, digital forensics specialists, radiographers, pharmacists and marine superintendents.
- Foreign Employment Pass applicants in these jobs get bonus points under Singapore's COMPASS system.
| Country | Worldwide |
|---|---|
| Organization | Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore |
| Official source | Vulcan Post – MOM's 2027 list of 147 talent-starved jobs ✓ vulcanpost.com |
Searching for Singapore jobs where employers are struggling to hire? Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has published its 2027 Shortage Occupation List, listing 147 job titles grouped into 30 occupational categories in seven industries where workers are in short supply.
What is the Shortage Occupation List?
MOM updates the list every November for the following year. Jobs on it are so hard to fill that foreign Employment Pass applicants in these roles earn bonus points under Singapore's COMPASS points framework. For locals, the list is a useful guide to careers with strong demand.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Published by | Ministry of Manpower (MOM) |
| Applies to | 2027 |
| Industries | 7 |
| Occupational categories | 30 |
| Job titles | 147 |
Which jobs are in shortage?
Examples from the 2027 list include:
- Technology and AI: AI/machine learning engineers, AI applied researchers, forward deployed engineers, quantum scientists and engineers, software and platform engineering roles
- Cybersecurity: digital forensics specialists, cyber incident and threat investigators, penetration testers
- Healthcare: diagnostic radiographers, MRI technologists, patient-care and specialist pharmacists, senior nursing leaders, palliative care social workers
- Chemicals and energy: chemical engineering technicians (petroleum and natural gas), distributed control system operators and supervisors, plant controllers, materials and process engineers
- Food science and sustainability: specialty ingredient and alternative protein scientists, novel food biotechnologists, carbon project managers and carbon standards analysts
- Maritime: marine superintendents and marine technical superintendents
Why does this matter now?
Singapore's job market is mixed. Unemployed citizens rose to 64,700 last quarter, the highest since 2021, with 4,800 redundancies. Yet these 147 roles still lack enough candidates, showing where skills are most valued.
How do I apply for these jobs?
Search vacancies on Singapore's official MyCareersFuture portal and on employers' careers pages. Foreign professionals should check that their role and salary meet Employment Pass rules before applying.
What it means for job seekers
- Tech, cyber and healthcare skills are in high demand.
- Foreigners get an edge in Employment Pass applications for listed roles.
- Locals can reskill into listed jobs using government-supported training.
- Related: SBS Transit pledges 300 inclusive hires in Singapore.
More worldwide openings: Worldwide job news
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs are on Singapore's 2027 Shortage Occupation List?
147 job titles across seven industries and 30 occupational categories, according to the Ministry of Manpower's update.
Which jobs are in shortage in Singapore?
Examples include AI and machine learning engineers, cybersecurity and digital forensics specialists, diagnostic radiographers, pharmacists, nursing leaders, chemical engineering technicians and marine superintendents.
Why does the Shortage Occupation List matter for foreigners?
Employment Pass applicants in shortage occupations receive bonus points under Singapore's COMPASS framework, which can make approval easier.
Is it a good list for locals too?
Yes. Jobs on the list are hard to fill, so they can be strong career choices or targets for reskilling.
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