Understanding the Southeast Asian workforce's pursuit of purpose is essential for transitioning to a regional economy that is both fair and sustainable.
Southeast Asia shows rapid economic evolution, maintaining its status as one of the fastest-growing regions globally for nearly a decade. This dynamic economic landscape is energized by a youthful workforce, with the World Bank estimating that out of approximately 350.5 million workers in ASEAN, 60% are under the age of 30. Yet, this economic vibrancy is shadowed by sustainability challenges: according to the International Energy Agency , current growth model forecasts a 35% increase in CO2 emissions by 2030, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable economic reform.
Among growing climate awareness, Southeast Asian governments are recognizing the imminent risks to their economies. Without intervention, the Asian Development Bank warns that climate repercussions could contract the region's economy by up to 11% by the century's end. Consequently, sustainability is ascending the corporate agenda, catalyzing a surge in demand for green skills and jobs.
This shift is not just institutional but deeply personal.
As societies navigate the ramifications of climate change and economic disparity, individuals are increasingly seeking roles that transcend traditional financial incentives, aligning personal values with professional endeavors.
In response to these evolving dynamics, Jobs_that_makesense Asia and Manpower have embarked on a pioneering survey to decode the quest for purpose at work, particularly in the Southeast Asian context. This collaborative research initiative emerges in a landscape where the narrative of meaningful work, especially post-COVID and among Generation Z, has proliferated yet remains inadequately explored through empirical studies. Our survey aims to carve out a region-specific understanding of what constitutes meaningful work, delving into the personal and societal drives steering individuals towards purpose-driven careers.
Spanning Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, this comprehensive survey endeavors to chart the contours of the region's professional aspirations. It seeks to unearth the underlying expectations of the Southeast Asian workforce and provide actionable insights for employers to align more closely with the emerging paradigm of purpose-driven employment.
This study marks a significant step in dissecting the intricate relationship between individual aspirations and regional economic imperatives, setting the stage for a more inclusive and sustainable economic model.
Understanding the Southeast Asian workforce's pursuit of purpose is essential for transitioning to a regional economy that is both fair and sustainable.
Editorial.
In response to these evolving dynamics, Jobs_that_makesense Asia and Manpower have embarked on a pioneering survey to decode the quest for purpose at work, particularly in the Southeast Asian context. This collaborative research initiative emerges in a landscape where the narrative of meaningful work, especially post-COVID and among Generation Z, has proliferated yet remains inadequately explored through empirical studies. Our survey aims to carve out a region-specific understanding of what constitutes meaningful work, delving into the personal and societal drives steering individuals towards purpose-driven careers.
1
2
3
1 The Asean Post
2 IEA Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2022
3 The Asian Development Bank
494
97%
51%
Southeast Asia shows rapid economic evolution, maintaining its status as one of the fastest-growing regions globally for nearly a decade. This dynamic economic landscape is energized by a youthful workforce, with the World Bank estimating that out of approximately 350.5 million workers in ASEAN, 60% are under the age of 30. Yet, this economic vibrancy is shadowed by sustainability challenges: according to the International Energy Agency , current growth model forecasts a 35% increase in CO2 emissions by 2030, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable economic reform.
In 3 points, our key findings
In the Jobs_that_makesense Asia - Manpower's The Quest for Meaning at Work Survey, 2,023 respondents—including employees, students, and job-seekers across six countries, with 494 participants from Singapore — were invited to share their perspectives on meaningful work. They provided insights into their definitions of purposeful employment, the motivations and challenges they face in seeking more meaningful roles, and their expectations from companies to enhance their sense of purpose at work.
Image credit: Yip Yew Chong
Executive Summary
1
In Singapore, 97% of survey participants express the importance of finding a sense of meaning in their professional endeavors. This sentiment resonates across the region, with 98% of respondents emphasizing the significance of this aspect in their careers.
2
More than half of the respondents expect their companies to take a leading role in promoting sustainability initiatives. They also advocate for the creation of more positions dedicated to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities and the provision of learning programs for employees that focus on societal impact and sustainability.
3
The importance of a company's reputation, especially in terms of social and environmental responsibility, has emerged as a crucial consideration for job seekers. Indeed, 73% of survey participants stated that a company's standing in these domains influence their choice to seek employment with them, slightly below the regional average of 77%.
Table of Contents
Deciphering Purpose in the SINGAPORE Workforce
Trend #1
Trend #2
Trend #3
Trend #4
Survey Overview
Survey Overview
Trend #4
Trend #3
Trend #2
Trend #1
Deciphering Purpose in the Regional Workforce
Deciphering purpose
Definitions and Perceptions
How do Singaporeans define and perceive the notion of Purposeful Work?
Purposeful Work
The insights from Singapore participants reflect the broader regional trends in perceptions and attitudes.
Based on the insights gathered from our survey, we HAVE crafted a nuanced understanding of "purpose at work" as it's seen in SINGAPORE:
In Singapore, the concept of purpose at work is multifaceted, encompassing a deep desire for fulfillment, meaning, and making a positive impact on society. Individuals seek to align their personal values and passions with their professional endeavors, aspiring for a role that not only satisfies their career goals but also contributes positively to the community and the environment. This definition includes a pursuit of job satisfaction, meaningful connections, personal growth, and the alignment of work objectives with societal needs.
When prompted with the question, "Could you describe in three words what seeking purpose signifies to you?" the highlighted words below represent the terms most frequently mentioned by the 494 respondents.
The essence of meaningful work for the SINGAPORE workforce can be distilled into FOUR key components
Purposeful Work
1
Personal Fulfillment
2
Work-Life Harmony
3
Positive Social Impact
4
of respondents believe that all kinds of groups — from charities and community organizations to governments and businesses — have the potential to significantly benefit the planet. However, almost half of the respondants underscore the necessity for businesses to demonstrate genuine action and adherence to their environmental and social commitments. Essentially, while recognizing the capacity of all organizations to contribute to societal improvement, there's a particular emphasis on the need for corporations to transparently and authentically engage with their sustainability and societal strategies.
Community and Belonging
88%
The essence of meaningful work for the malaysia workforce can be distilled into FOUR key components
Purposeful Work
1
Personal Fulfillment
2
Work-Life Harmony
3
Positive Social Impact
Community and Belonging
4
of respondents believe that all kinds of groups — from charities and community organizations to governments and businesses — have the potential to significantly benefit the planet. However, more than half of the respondents underscore the necessity for businesses to demonstrate genuine action and adherence to their environmental and social commitments. Essentially, while recognizing the capacity of all organizations to contribute to societal improvement, there's a particular emphasis on the need for corporations to transparently and authentically engage with their sustainability and societal strategies.
79%
In Malaysia, a notable perspective exists where 1 person out of 5 believes that only those employed by socially or environmentally driven organizations can find a purpose in their work. This stands in contrast to the regional average, where approximately 10% of people across other countries share this viewpoint.
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The Quest for Meaning at Work
TREND 1:
Motivations and Expectations Behind the Singapore Workforce's Pursuit of Purpose
The factors that significantly influence job-seeking professionals when looking for a job can be categorized into two primary levels:
Seeking purpose:
On a collective level, a deep-seated sense of duty to make a societal contribution and to participate in the organization's development is a pivotal factor in the job search process.
Job fulfillment & personal stability
Salary and Job Stability
Significantly, the pursuit of a high salary is not driven by the quest for material wealth but rather by the aim to provide comfort and security for one's family.
Work-Life Balance
Career Advancement and Personal Growth
Impact and organizational contribution
of respondents indicate that a company's reputation for social responsibility influences their decision to pursue employment with them.
73%
18%
21%
30%
31%
Opportunity for societal Impact:
Seeking influence in the workplace and decision-making:
Opportunity for environmental impact:
Contribution to the Organization’s Mission:
Seeking influence in the workplace and decision-making:
Opportunity for environmental impact:
Contribution to the Organization’s Mission:
Opportunity for societal Impact:
Note: The aspirations of working for a well-known company, assuming a managerial role, or holding a high position rank lower in our survey respondents’ views of professional success than intrinsic values and personal fulfillment.
