Recruitment Trends in Thailand and Southeast Asia in 2025

Rohan Jain
31 ก.ค.
ยาว 5 นาที

อัปเดตเมื่อ 13 ส.ค.

Recruitment Trends in Thailand and Southeast Asia in 2025

The job market in Thailand and Southeast Asia (SEA) is evolving quickly in 2025. Employers are rethinking how they hire, what they offer, and how they compete for talent in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven economy.

With growing competition, changing working environments, and the rise of digital tools, understanding the latest recruitment trends in Thailand and SEA is key to success.

At Hyperwork, a trusted recruitment agency Thailand relies on, we work with businesses every day to help them adapt to these trends confidently. Below are the most important hiring trends 2025, backed by data, shaping the future of work in Thailand and the region.

📈 Talent Shortage in Thailand and SEA

One of the biggest challenges employers face is the talent shortage in Thailand. According to Hays Thailand (2025), 76% of Thai employers report difficulty filling positions, particularly in IT, healthcare, finance, and green energy.

In SEA, the shortage is similar. In Singapore, 72% of companies struggle with talent scarcity despite a low unemployment rate of 2.1% (Ministry of Manpower Singapore, 2025). Malaysia and Vietnam also report high shortages at 68% and 71% respectively (Diinsider Life, 2025).

The largest foreign nationalities employed in Thailand are from Myanmar (over 1.6 million), Cambodia (around 600,000), and Laos (over 150,000) (Thailand Ministry of Labour, 2024). In SEA, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Myanmar workers are among the most sought-after expatriates due to their adaptability and skills (ASEAN Labour Report, 2025).

For employers, building strong talent pipelines, offering clear development paths, and focusing on retention are crucial to attract and keep the right people.

🚀 Data-Driven Recruitment & Smarter Hiring Decisions

In 2025, more Thai and SEA companies are making informed hiring decisions using data-driven recruitment. Employers now rely on data analytics to screen candidates, track the interview process, and measure job performance.

In Thailand, around 60% of HR teams use data insights to improve hiring outcomes (STEMgenic Global, 2025). Singapore reports even higher adoption, at 64%, while Malaysia follows at 58% (Robert Walters, 2025).

These tools also help companies align hires with their business goals, ensuring each candidate fits both technically and culturally.

🌏 Talent Acquisition Southeast Asia Goes Regional

With advanced technology and the rise of remote work, cross-border hiring SEA is now common. About 41% of Thai employers hire foreign nationals, and rates are even higher in Singapore (47%) and Malaysia (39%) (HeyRocket, 2025).

This trend enables companies to find highly skilled professionals beyond national borders while offering flexible jobs Thailand and SEA candidates prefer. However, competition between employers has also increased, making retention more challenging.

👩‍💻 Hybrid & Remote Work in Thailand and SEA

Post-pandemic, employees in Thailand expect remote work in Thailand or hybrid options as standard. According to PwC (2025), 62% of Thai employees prefer hybrid work, balancing office and home.

In Singapore, 59% prefer hybrid work, while in Vietnam it’s 52% (ASEAN Labour Report, 2025). However, 74% of workplaces in SEA have returned to office either fully or partially, as employers cite improved productivity and better teamwork in the office (World Bank, 2025).

This creates an opportunity: companies that continue offering hybrid or flexible jobs Thailand attract a wider candidate pool, improve work life balance, and foster a more positive workplace culture Thailand.

📚 Upskilling and Reskilling Drive Growth

Both Thailand and SEA see that workers need continuous development to stay employable. According to the World Economic Forum (2025), 50% of SEA workers need significant upskilling or reskilling by 2027.

Top 3 recommended methods:

Online learning platforms - scalable and accessible, helping workers gain technical and soft skills.
Mentorship and coaching programs - improve leadership and industry-specific expertise.
On-the-job training - lets employees learn practically through real tasks and job rotations.

In Thailand, companies offering development programs report 31% higher retention rates, while in Singapore, structured learning boosts productivity by 27% (Hays Thailand, 2025; Diinsider Life, 2025).

💼 Employer Branding, HR Technology & AI in Recruitment

To attract and retain top talents in SEA, employer branding, advanced HR technology in Thailand, and AI in recruitment go hand in hand. According to Great Place to Work (2025), 88% of Thai job seekers care about a company’s reputation and workplace culture when applying. Singapore and Malaysia show similar results, at 84% and 81%.

At the same time, 60% of HR teams in Thailand and 65% in Singapore use artificial intelligence AI tools to screen CVs, chat with candidates, and schedule interviews (STEMgenic Global, 2025).

These technological advancements reduce repetitive tasks and let recruiters focus on people making hiring faster and more accurate while improving the company’s image in a competitive labor market. This clearly indicates that leveraging AI brings efficiency and effectiveness to companies

📊 Workforce Planning 2025

The need for effective workforce planning 2025 is growing. With rising salary trends Thailand 2025, a tight labor market, and fast-changing market trends, companies must align hiring strategies with long-term goals.

Proactive planning also helps businesses prepare for regional shifts such as increasing wages in Singapore and Malaysia and ensures they stay competitive by understanding the roles they’ll need in the next 2–5 years.

Singapore and Thailand are leaders in proactive planning, while Vietnam and Indonesia are catching up (World Bank, 2025).

🔍 Why This Matters

Hiring in 2025 is about much more than filling jobs. It’s about creating a team aligned with your business goals, supporting employee growth, and preparing for future challenges.

Offering hybrid options, prioritizing upskilling and reskilling, and using experienced recruitment agencies can help companies succeed in the competitive SEA labor market.

At Hyperwork, we help businesses craft tailored hiring strategies from improving workplace culture Thailand to solving hiring challenges Thailand, so you can stay ahead.

If you’re ready to build a strong team for the future, connect with us today at by clicking the button below!

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📑 Which SEA Trend Stands Out?

Among all these trends, cross-border hiring SEA is the most interesting. It reflects how businesses and candidates now view the entire region, not just their home country as the talent pool. This trend promotes regional cooperation, diversifies workplaces, and helps fill the region’s skills gap.