4 in 5 Singaporeans eyeing new job in 2024: reports

Results indicate 'a shift in attitudes where professionals are no longer willing to stick it out'

4 in 5 Singaporeans eyeing new job in 2024: reports

More than four in five Singaporeans said they are considering a new job this 2024 amid strong confidence that they would get hired despite a cooling labour market, according to reports.

The Straits Times reported this week a LinkedIn survey among 1,057 professionals which revealed that 86% are eyeing a new job this year.

This is 15 percentage points higher than in 2023, according to the survey, which was carried out in November and December last year.

Among the respondents, Gen Zs (95%) and Millennials (88%) were more likely to find a new jobs, Yahoo! Finance reported. Higher wages (46%) and a better work-life balance (35%) were cited the most by the respondents as reason for their planned switch.

LinkedIn said the findings indicate a "shift in attitudes where professionals are no longer willing to stick it out."

"Instead, they're taking ownership of their careers and want to make up for lost time by focusing on productivity and career growth," LinkedIn said as quoted by The Straits Times.

Why do Singaporeans want to pursue a new job? The top reasons are:

  • a new job in a different industry (71%)
  • a desire to explore other interests (42%)
  • better growth prospects (40%)
  • add to experience to become more attractive candidates (40%)

Strong confidence about hiring

The higher number of Singaporeans wanting to make the switch comes amid strong confidence that they would get hired, according to reports.

One in two respondents said they were confident about their prospects if they decide to leave, The Straits Times reported.

This comes despite a cooling labour market in Singapore, with less employers willing to hire in January, according to the latest Employment Outlook Survey from ManpowerGroup.

In the survey, Singapore logged a 29% net employment outlook, or hiring expectations, for the month of January.

This is a -4% decline year-over-year, according to the report, but is still above the 26% global average.

Singapore in 2023 reported a decline in the overall employment rate for 2023, but the Ministry of Manpower maintained that its labour market remained resilient.