About 3% of S'pore workers have worked overseas full time for at least 6 months

About 3.1 per cent of Singapore workers have worked overseas full time for at least six months, with high earners making up a larger share of this group, according to data released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Nov 28.

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Overseas work experience was most common among Singapore citizens and permanent residents in their 40s and 50s, with most experiencing working abroad for the first time at the age of 25 to 34.

More managers, especially those in top managerial positions such as chief executives, managing directors and general managers, had overseas work experience. This is most prevalent among top-income earners working at multinational companies with overseas operations, where “global exposure is highly valued”, noted MOM.

This is the first time MOM is collecting data to better understand the prevalence of overseas work experience among the resident workforce, which refers to citizens and permanent residents here.

“It’s crucial for workers in the early parts of their careers to start thinking and planning for overseas work opportunities. This is something they can add to their credentials, placing them at a more advantageous position for career advancement,” said an MOM spokesperson at a media briefing on Nov 26.