SINGAPORE, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Only 14 percent of Singapore's workforce is engaged at work, significantly below the Southeast Asia average of 25 percent and the global average of 20 percent, according to a report released Monday by the Singapore Institute of Directors and Gallup.
The inaugural Singapore Workplace Report 2026 found that 86 percent of workers were disengaged in 2025, costing the economy an estimated 73.6 billion U.S. dollars annually in lost productivity.
The report also highlighted a widening generational divide, with only 10 percent of employees under 35 reporting being engaged at work, compared with 16 percent among older workers.
More than half, or 53 percent, of younger employees said they experienced daily stress, versus 37 percent of workers aged 35 and above.
The report identified management quality as a key factor behind low engagement. It said managers account for 70 percent of the variation in team engagement, but Singapore leaders rated their organizations' manager effectiveness at only 3.32 out of 5.
The report also warned that generative AI could reduce entry-level learning opportunities, potentially hindering the development of future talent. ■
