Nearly 2 in 3 Singapore workers ready to relocate abroad

Survey shows 72% of them are professionals below age 30; Australia most popular location

- Diviyadhaarshini

Nearly two in three Singapore workers are willing to relocate for work, with Australia being the most popular destination, a recent survey found.

This figure of 64 per cent who are willing to move is a marked drop from the 87 per cent in 2018, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Of the Singapore workers willing to relocate, 72 per cent are young professionals aged below 30.

The survey findings released on May 14 by jobs portal Jobstreet by Seek also show that South-east Asian and global markets have similar proportions of workers willing to relocate, at 68 and 63 per cent respectively.

Commenting on the findings, Mr David Blasco, general manager at recruitment firm Randstad Singapore, said: "Traditionally, Singaporeans sought opportunities abroad for better remuneration, job satisfaction or a healthier work-life balance." But the Covid-19 pandemic changed this significantly, he said.

"More companies in Singapore are offering better benefits, initiatives, and reshaping job responsibilities to meet talent expectations, reducing the allure of overseas ventures." Similarly, Ms Alyce Cheong, a certified Institute for Human Resource Professionals senior professional, said that Singapore, being home to many regional headquarters and multinational corporations, provides workers here with opportunities to advance in their careers locally.