Survey reveals only half of Singapore employees feel valued
Only 56% of Singapore workers report being happy at work, placing the city-state among the lowest in workplace happiness across the Asia-Pacific, according to a new study.
The Workplace Happiness Index: Singapore, conducted by Jobstreet by SEEK in collaboration with research agency Nature, surveyed 1,000 employed individuals aged 18 to 64 between October and November 2025. The findings show Singapore trailing behind Indonesia (82%), the Philippines (77%), Malaysia (70%), and Australia (57%), with only Hong Kong recording lower happiness levels at 47%.
Despite ranking among the lowest, eight in 10 Singapore workers still believe workplace happiness is achievable. However, 45% report feeling burnt out or exhausted by their jobs, highlighting a significant gap between aspiration and reality.
“What our latest Workplace Happiness Index shows us is that Singapore’s workers are not disengaged or unmotivated, but rather feeling stretched and undervalued,” said Esther Lee, managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore.
The study identified purpose, career progression, and recognition as stronger drivers of sustained happiness than salary alone. While 64% of workers said higher pay would increase their happiness, a sense of purpose and greater career progression opportunities were identified as the top factors for sustaining long-term happiness among Singapore workers. Just 37% felt positive about career progression opportunities, and only 50% felt valued for their contributions.
Generational and gender imbalances
Workplace happiness also varies significantly across demographics. Men reported higher happiness levels (62%) compared to women (51%), with women consistently less satisfied with purpose (49% vs. 55%), career progression (33% vs. 41%), and feeling valued (50% vs. 58%).
Millennials, aged 30 to 44, emerged as the least happy generation at 52%, reporting the lowest satisfaction with stress levels (31%) and feeling valued (49%), compared with Baby Boomers (65%), Gen Z (58%), and Gen X (56%). Baby Boomers were the happiest at 71%, possibly due to greater autonomy and seniority.
The research found happy workers are five times more likely to exceed expectations and 37% less likely to seek new employment. Notably, 41% of workers who described themselves as happy still reported feeling burnt out, particularly those earning more than SG$6,000 monthly.
“In a hiring climate where retention is the new battleground, the greatest opportunity for employers lies in addressing these challenges to drive sustained happiness in the workplace,” Lee said.
The majority of workers (85%) view happiness as a shared responsibility between employers and employees.
Persistent stress undercuts happiness
Other local surveys and research show that workplace stress in Singapore is widespread and persistent, contributing to worker dissatisfaction. A recent report found that a large share of Singapore employees experience stress at least once a week – with many reporting that this stress adversely affects their work and overall well‑being.
Support for mental health from employers and peers appears to be declining, with only about half of workers saying they feel supported by their organisation on these issues. The findings suggest that stress and its impacts, including reduced engagement and increased turnover risk, are systemic.
Work‑life balance has also emerged as a top priority for Singapore workers, surpassing salary and job security in importance. Surveys of employees across generations show that many value the ability to manage work alongside personal life, yet only about half believe their current employers are delivering on this front. Poor balance has been linked to disengagement and decisions to seek other opportunities.
