New Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Study Finds Singapore Ahead in Flexibility and ESG as Workforce Expectations Are Rising Across the Region.

PR Newswire

Sun, Aug 3, 2025, 7:45 PM 3 min read

, /PRNewswire/ -- As workforce expectations continue to evolve across Asia-Pacific in 2025, a significant new study by recruitment firm Reeracoen and research agency Rakuten Insight Global positions Singapore as a regional leader in workplace flexibility and sustainability-driven employment. At the same time, the study reveals emerging gaps between what talent expects and what employers are prepared to offer, both regionally and locally.

The Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025 draws on insights from more than 12,000 professionals across 12 Asia-Pacific economies. It outlines how workers are prioritising hybrid work, values-led employment, and continuous development, even as companies slow hiring and recalibrate productivity targets.

"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."

Key Findings from Across APAC:

• "Flexibility Gap": 72% of workers want hybrid work models, but only 46% currently have access. Singapore and Vietnam lead in flexibility, while Japan and South Korea lag.

• Purpose Matters: 71% of APAC respondents say a company's sustainability and CSR initiatives influence their choice of employer. This rises to 82% in Vietnam and 79% in Singapore but drops to 48% in Japan.

• Learning is Essential: 65% cite skills development as their top career driver, but only 18% say their current employer leads that process, revealing a growing "learning leadership" gap.

• Mobility Rising: One in three APAC workers is open to overseas relocation. In Singapore, 43% are open to it; this is less than in Vietnam (62%) but more than in Japan (9%).

• Salary Expectations Are Rising: While employers face macroeconomic caution, 28% of APAC workers still expect salary increases exceeding 10%.

Spotlight on Singapore

• Hybrid Work Access: Singapore ranks first among APAC markets, with 68% of workers offering hybrid work, more than 20 points above the regional average.

• Values Influence Job Choice: 79% of Singaporeans consider a company's CSR and ESG efforts when deciding where to work, placing Singapore among the top-ranked markets for value-driven employment.

• Local Over Global Mobility: Only 43% of Singaporeans are open to relocating abroad, reflecting a preference for domestic opportunities with progressive work environments.

• Top Motivators: Salary (82%), skill development (67%), and work-life balance (61%) remain the leading career drivers.