Singapore Became Top Destination for Bangladeshi Workers
Construction-led demand persists, but tightening recruitment controls signal potential shifts for labor-reliant firms.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Employment
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Singapore emerged as the second-largest labor market for Bangladeshi workers in 2026, driven by a domestic construction boom. This influx underscores the city-state's heavy reliance on foreign labor amid historically low fertility rates.
Why it matters
The concentration of recruitment power among six firms and rising migration costs highlight significant friction in the labor supply chain. Operators should note that impending policy shifts toward higher-skill requirements may alter recruitment overheads and availability.
Singapore's construction sector saw 11.8% growth in Q1 2026, while the city's total fertility rate hit a low of 0.87 in 2025. Currently, six companies maintain a monopoly over recruitment, with costs for workers reaching Tk16 lakh.
The players
Singapore
A global financial hub and city-state facing critical labor shortages due to a declining total fertility rate.
Bangladesh
A populous South Asian nation and major labor exporter that relies on worker remittances for its external balance.
The details
The labor influx is largely sustained by Singapore's 11.8% construction sector growth and the closure of traditional migration corridors like Oman and Malaysia. Workers typically secure skill certifications at designated centers in Bangladesh or utilize returnee contracts to re-enter the market. However, government officials have indicated an intent to pivot toward skilled roles and implement stricter oversight of foreign worker intake.
Timeline
53,265 Bangladeshis migrated to Singapore in 2023.
56,847 Bangladeshis migrated to Singapore in 2024.
Singapore's total fertility rate reached 0.87 in 2025.
The Singapore Prime Minister addressed foreign worker policy on August 23, 2026.
55,614 Bangladeshi workers had migrated to Singapore by September 16, 2026.
Market Landscape
Singapore's reliance on migrant labor is fundamentally linked to its total fertility rate of 0.87 in 2025, which necessitates constant workforce replenishment. This development follows a pattern of high construction demand currently offset by the closure of regional labor markets like Malaysia and Oman.
Operators in construction and service sectors should anticipate potential price volatility in recruitment as Singapore rolls out tighter controls. Firms relying on lower-skilled labor should monitor for a transition toward mandated high-skill certification requirements.
The takeaway
Singapore's shift toward high-skill labor mandates reflects an ongoing policy effort to manage demographic constraints. Businesses should monitor upcoming government announcements regarding foreign worker quotas to adjust their staffing pipelines accordingly.
Further reading
For broader trends on international labor flows, visit Employment.
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