As workplaces across the Asia-Pacific continue to evolve, Singapore is emerging as the regional leader in workplace flexibility and sustainability-driven employment. That’s according to a recently published study by recruitment firm Reeracoen and research agency Rakuten Insight Global.
The Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025, which surveyed more than 12,000 professionals in a dozen Asia-Pacific countries, also highlighted gaps between worker expectations and what employers are prepared to offer, both regionally and locally. It revealed that, despite companies scaling back hiring and recalibrating productivity targets, employees continue to prioritise hybrid work, values-led employment, and continuous development.
"Across APAC, we are seeing a structural reset in what people want from work," said Kenji Naito, Group CEO of Reeracoen. "Flexibility, purpose, and learning are no longer perks. They are expectations. Singapore is ahead of the curve on many of these fronts and offers a powerful case study for the region."
According to the report, an estimated 72% of workers prefer hybrid work models, but only 46% currently have access. In the Asia-Pacific, Singapore ranks first in offering hybrid work at 68%, which is more than 20 points above the regional average, followed by Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea.
Around 71% of the respondents also consider a company’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives when deciding where to work, with Vietnam topping the list at 82% followed by Singapore (79%) and Japan (48%).
The report also highlighted a growing ‘learning leadership’ gap in the region, with 65% of surveyed workers citing skills development as their top career driver but only 18% say their current employer leads that process.
Shoichi Sunaga, Branch Manager of Reeracoen Singapore, said the number reflects the employees’ evolving preferences.
"Sustainable practices and purpose-led work cultures are no longer optional," said Sunaga. "Today's candidates are actively screening for them."
"In today's rapidly evolving job market, leveraging insights to understand what truly drives talent is not just beneficial, it's a non-negotiable competitive advantage," said Cheryl Ng, Country Director, Singapore at Rakuten Insight. "Such critical shifts shaping the future of work inform us how to balance cost efficiency while upholding core values and successfully attracting and retaining key talent."