An ageing population is making caregiving a 'workforce issue' for Singapore
Employers in Singapore are being encouraged to provide better support to employees taking on caregiving duties, as a new report found that their rising numbers are being overwhelmed by stress.
Jessica Zhang, ADP's senior vice president for APAC, said employers need to recognise that caregiving is already part of today's workforce reality.
"Creating a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their responsibilities, supported by flexible work arrangements and empathetic leadership, can improve well-being while strengthening engagement, productivity, and workforce resilience," Zhang said.
Her remarks come as findings from ADP's latest research showed that 66% of Singapore's workers are caregivers who are taking care of children or ageing adults outside of work.
Among them, 64% are struggling to remain productive when under pressure, with 24% saying they are overloaded by stress.
Only 16% of these caregiving employees have strongly agreed that they get all the support they need from their leaders, and just 18% feel supported from their colleagues.
Caregivers are being resilient
Despite these challenges, the report found that caregivers at work are nearly three times as likely as non-caregivers to describe themselves as thriving.
They are also twice as likely to feel fully engaged at work.
Yvonne Teo, ADP's vice president of HR for APAC, said the findings demonstrate the resilience of caregivers as they balance the demands of work and caregiving.
"However, resilience should not be mistaken for the absence of need," Teo said.
"Employers can better support caregivers through flexible work arrangements, open conversations, and inclusive policies that acknowledge different life circumstances."
Singapore's ageing population
Conversations on supporting caregivers come as Singapore's population continues to age. The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in April that one in four citizens will be aged 65 and above by 2030.
Citing the United Nations' standards, the MOH added that the country is an "aged society" with those aged 65 and above already exceeding 14% of the population.
But Singapore is projected to attain "super aged" status this year, according to the MOH. That means the share of its population aged 65 and above will likely hit 21% in 2026.
"Singapore's ageing population means caregiving is increasingly becoming a workforce issue, not just a personal one," Zhang said.
"As more employees balance work with caring responsibilities, organisations that provide practical support and inclusive workplace policies will be better positioned to attract, retain, and engage talent."
Teo added that implementing measures to support caregivers at work can have a variety of benefits for employers.
"These measures not only improve employee wellbeing but also strengthen engagement, retention, and productivity across the workforce," Teo said.
