Malaysia. 11 September 2025 - Hays, the world’s leading recruitment and workforce solutions specialist, has published its Pulse of Recruitment report, offering fresh insights into how Asia’s staffing market is evolving in response to ongoing economic volatility. 

The report draws on survey responses from over 2,000 professionals and hiring managers across China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, collected in June 2025. Participants were asked targeted questions based on key trends identified in the 2025 Hays Asia Salary Guide, with a focus on hiring practices, salary strategies, and job change motivations for the remainder of the year. 

A more conservative approach to hiring

The findings reveal a growing sense of economic pessimism among professionals in the Asia region. A notable 58 per cent of respondents expressed low confidence in the broader economic outlook and employment prospects over the next two to five years, up from 41 per cent based on our Hays survey conducted in late 2024. 

At the same time, organisations have adopted more conservative hiring strategies. Only 28 per cent reported increasing headcount in 2025, a sharp decline from the 46 per cent projected from our previous Hays survey. Meanwhile, workforce reductions have become more common, with 39 per cent of organisations restructuring this year, significantly higher than the initial forecast of 25 per cent. 

“Despite organisational efforts to minimise the effects of uncertainty through restructuring, the core challenge of skill shortages persists,” said Marc Burrage, Managing Director of Hays Asia. “56 per cent of employers across Asia continue to report moderate to severe talent gaps, echoing the findings from our 2025 Hays Asia Salary Guide published in February and highlighting the urgent need for strategic workforce planning.” 

One in three professionals worried about their jobs

The rising trend of organisational restructuring across Asia has had a noticeable impact on workforce sentiment. According to the Pulse of Recruitment report, 34 per cent of professionals expressed feeling insecure in their current roles. Among those who had already left their jobs, 24 per cent cited a lack of job security as their reason for seeking new opportunities, just behind career progression and surpassing traditional motivators such as improved benefits. 

Career progression remains a popular reason for professionals to explore new roles, with 36 per cent of job leavers pointing to limited advancement opportunities as a key reason for their departure. Among those still considering a move, 45 per cent said they were motivated by the absence of future growth prospects within their current organisations. 

“We’re witnessing a noticeable rise in workforce mobility across Asia. 23 per cent of professionals have made a job change in 2025, and a further 44 per cent are actively planning their next move. This marks a significant shift from late 2024, when just 55 per cent were considering a change, highlighting the risk of top talent retention today,” said Marc. 

To address these challenges, Marc advises organisations to take a proactive approach in retaining top talent. “Job insecurity can quickly erode trust, productivity, and retention,” he said. “Leaders should communicate openly about strategic priorities and provide employees with a platform to voice concerns and ask questions. In times of uncertainty, professionals gravitate towards employers who not only offer stability but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to their long-term success.”

More professionals using AI at work 

Encouragingly, the use of AI in the workplace continues to grow. The Pulse of Recruitment report found that 63 per cent of professionals now use AI technologies as part of their roles, up from 54 per cent in late 2024. 

This growth appears to be supported by increased organisational investment in AI training, with 41 per cent of respondents in Asia reporting that their employers offer training and support for AI tools, compared to just 28 per cent last year.

“Amidst disruption, organisations are making deliberate investments to upskill their workforce for a digital-first, AI-enabled environment. Forward-thinking leaders are embracing change, equipping their teams with the tools and training needed to stay competitive, agile and resilient in a rapidly evolving landscape,” said Marc. 

Pulse of Recruitment report now available -

Agensi Pekerjaan Hays (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd ("Hays Malaysia") is one of the leading specialist recruitment companies in Malaysia in recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people across a wide range of industries and professions. We provide mid to senior level recruitment services across both finance and commerce industries. We have become known as the experts in sourcing regional and global candidates, as well as returning Malaysians. 

Hays has been in Malaysia since 2012 and boasts a track record of success and growth, with two operating offices located in KLCC and Sunway. At Hays in Malaysia, we operate across the private and public sector, dealing in permanent positions, and workforce solutions such as recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) in the following specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Construction, Engineering, Human Resources, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Marketing & Digital, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales and Technology. We continue to strengthen our position in Asia with the world-leading ISO 9001:2015 certification in all our operational markets including Malaysia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.