Why more Singapore graduates are choosing jobs below their qualifications: ‘it’s meaningful’
A growing number of Singaporean graduates are taking jobs below their qualification level, with many prioritizing personal fulfillment and job meaning over status or pay. A 2025 survey found nearly one in five workers are overqualified for their roles. Shifting attitudes, work-life balance, and reevaluation of career goals post-pandemic are key drivers. Employers and policymakers are responding to this trend with more flexible career pathways.
- ▪In 2025, 19.4% of Singapore’s resident workforce held academic qualifications higher than required for their job.
- ▪Many graduates are choosing lower-level roles for better work-life balance and greater personal satisfaction.
- ▪The shift is partly influenced by changing values among younger workers, especially after the pandemic.
- ▪Jobs in social services and community sectors are increasingly seen as meaningful career options.
- ▪Employers are adapting by offering more flexible career progression and skills-based hiring.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
.css-1e339y7{z-index:1400;}.css-1e339y7 .MuiDrawer-paper{overflow-y:hidden;}.css-1e339y7 .MuiDrawer-modal{background:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);}.css-1h2k762{z-index:1200;z-index:1400;}.css-1h2k762 .MuiDrawer-paper{overflow-y:hidden;}.css-1h2k762 .MuiDrawer-modal{background:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);}.css-1whztno{position:relative;}.css-1whztno:first-of-type .er6t7fe40>*:first-child{padding-block-start:0;}.css-ahnbry>*:first-child{padding-block:var(--mobile-widget-gap, 16px);}@media (min-width:768px){.css-ahnbry>*:first-child{padding-block:40px;}}.css-hhdj32{--content-tablet-up-max-inline-size:600px;--widget-extra-padding:12px;--mobile-widget-gap:16px;--desktop-widget-gap:18px;display:grid;grid:"header-container" min-content "leading" min-content "content-container" min-content "widgets-bottom"…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at South China Morning Post.