As inflation, cost-of-living pressures, and job security concerns persist, Singaporean job seekers are increasingly seeking overseas opportunities for better compensation and global exposure.
New data from global job matching and hiring platform Indeed reveals that there was a 36 per cent increase in job seekers looking for global roles from 2021 to 2024, demonstrating sustained interest.
Nearly half (49 per cent) of their searches are focusing on opportunities in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia, with the most sought-after roles being in customer service, software engineering, and administrative support.
In these markets, the top-searched positions offer salaries that can be up to 51 per cent higher than similar roles in Singapore.
Talent mobility in a post-pandemic world
According to Indeed, these job search patterns are part of a larger narrative about talent mobility in a post-pandemic world.
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the way people work and think about their careers, and remote work has become more widespread, allowing professionals to seek opportunities beyond their home countries without needing to relocate immediately.
This newfound flexibility is empowering Singaporeans to pursue international careers with better compensation, while still maintaining ties to their home country.
For employers, these trends present both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, the ability to tap into a global talent pool can bring new skills and perspectives to their organisations.
On the other, retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive and borderless job market requires innovative strategies and a deep understanding of what drives employee satisfaction and engagement.
Singapore is still a magnet for international talents
While Singaporean talent seek opportunities abroad, the city-state itself continues to attract international job seekers.
Indeed’s data reveals a substantial number of cross-border job searches from neighboring Southeast Asian countries, with 62 per cent originating from places like Malaysia, India, the Philippines, and Myanmar.
Positions in administrative assistance, warehouse operations, quantity surveying, production operations, and account management are particularly appealing for these talents.
This influx of interest from international talent highlights Singapore’s ongoing appeal as a regional employment hub. Contributing factors include Singapore’s strategic location, its resilient economy, and the government’s proactive policies to maintain a competitive job market.
To help the local workforce navigate economic pressures and stay competitive with global standards, Callam Pickering, APAC Senior Economist at Indeed, highlights the importance of the “Singapore government’s progressive actions in upskilling, improving work benefits, and addressing the cost of living”.
In large part, this is also why international job seekers continue to see Singapore as an aspirational destination for career growth, where they can thrive in a dynamic, global business hub and benefit from a high standard of living.
– Callam Pickering, APAC Senior Economist at Indeed
Featured Image Credit: ILO/Giorgio Taraschi
