SINGAPORE – One in five workers in Singapore aren’t too happy about their life on the job. In fact, the city state has the highest number of dissatisfied workers out of Southeast Asia, according to a survey of 5,000 workers in the region by Jobstreet and JobsDB.

Singapore is followed by Malaysia (12%) and the Philippines (11%) in terms of the percentage of unhappy workers. However, Indonesia reports only 4% of its working population are feeling glum about their careers.

What could be hurting the morale of Singapore workers?

For more than half of respondents, their insufficient pay and benefits are getting them down (53%). Meanwhile, others point to a lack of recognition (36%) and lack of career progression (36%) as a source of dissatisfaction.

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Is career happiness in Southeast Asia all about the money?

The regional study revealed how workers in Singapore associate their pay grade with their competencies and career goals.

Compensation may be the top reason for unhappiness at work among Singaporeans, yet only 15% of them say they are “highly likely” to work for a company that offers a great pay even if the work doesn’t align with their skills or goals. This percentage is lower compared to the Southeast Asian average, which showed nearly 1 in 4 workers are willing to overlook a career mismatch if it means getting a bigger salary.

In reality, though, only 14% of respondents from Singapore say their current role satisfies their career aspirations “very well” or “perfectly well,” the findings showed.

Notably, more than half (57%) say finding a job that suits their competencies and career goals is harder today than it was when they first entered the job market.

Meanwhile, over a quarter of workers surveyed (27%) believe having the right fit at a company is just as difficult as finding the right partner in life. All these trends suggest workers in Singapore put a premium on career alignment and longevity over short-term financial benefits.

Read More: Singaporeans would rather be jobless than unhappy at work

The ‘Big Stay’ trend in Singapore

Nearly 4 in 5 workers in Singapore are open to career shifts. However, 72% are also cautiously weighing out their options.

Reflecting the wider trend called the ‘Big Stay,’ Singaporeans are reportedly choosing to stay on in their current roles instead of striking out for better opportunities. All this even if it means feeling miserable for yet another year, the survey showed.

This decision to stay put in their current employment – despite feelings of unhappiness – likely stems from a lack of stability and security in the current job market.

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Overall, Singaporeans appear to have a greater inclination towards career stability than career progression.

“We’ve observed that Singaporean employees’ career decisions are sometimes driven by practicality – such as prioritising stability over looking for more fulfilling or challenging work,” said Chew Siew Mee, Managing Director, Singapore, Jobstreet by SEEK.

“Coupled with uncertainties of today’s job market, this caution may be warranted – but at the same time, these employees may miss out on new opportunities that could unlock greater career growth and longer-term satisfaction.”