Discover global, regional and local country insights to better understand, motivate and retain your people
Following one of the largest global surveys of its kind — undertaken between 28 October and 18 November 2022 — ADP Research Institute® brings you vital intelligence into the attitudes, aspirations, wants and needs of 32,612 workers in 17 countries, including 8,613 working exclusively in the gig economy.
How you can benefit from this research:
While 87% feel optimistic about the future, 62% think no sector will escape the effects of the current economic uncertainty and almost four in 10 (37%) don’t feel secure in their jobs.
61% say salary’s the key factor in their job and 62% expect a pay rise from their current employer in the next year. Yet 43% are sometimes, often or always underpaid.
Nearly half (47%) say their work suffers due to poor mental health while 65% claim stress adversely affects performance. Employers are responding through positive mental health initiatives.
Nearly half (48%) say they could relocate overseas with their existing employer. Workers now prioritise career progression and job enjoyment over flexible hours and locations.
The Asia Pacific region is an economic powerhouse. Here workers have a reputation for hard work and expect to be suitably compensated.
But our research in Australia, China, India and Singapore has also shown the region to be a leader in ways other than the simply economic — from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to mental health awareness.
Despite recent economic uncertainty, the research reveals a stabilisation across the region — from levels of optimism, job satisfaction and unpaid overtime to fewer workers considering a career change. No surprise then that job security fears appear to be receeding.
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Download reportsWhile business leaders can sharpen their competitive edge by harnessing their workers’ commitment and drive, they cannot take these for granted. This year’s research indicates that employers in the Asia Pacific region still have work to do to meet employee expectations across a range of workplace policies.
The average pay rise across the region was 7.2% but the numbers of workers saying ‘I am always, often or sometimes underpaid’ ranges from 27% in China to a worrying 70% in India.
On average, 44% of employees across Asia Pacific say mental health is adversely affecting their performance while 66% state stress is also causing their work to suffer.
Year-on-year, fewer workers in the Asia Pacific region are considering a career move. But still a quarter to a third are thinking of a change, from shifting industry to establishing their own business.
A DEI gap is emerging: Chinese and Indian workers enjoyed the greatest DEI improvements in the past three years, with 89% and 94% respectively saying their employer are offering DEI initiatives. Yet, the number falls to 76% in Australia and 79% in Singapore.
Having some choice over location and hours has become the norm. Workers now rank career progression (27%) and job enjoyment (48%) as more important factors.
Chinese workers seem satisfied with their training and development (61%) and career progression (58%) but in the other Asia Pacific nations, around a half or less are happy with these aspects.
Around 80% of workers in Singapore are optimistic about the next five years, a possible sign that fears around job security are abating. Fewer workers in Singapore are now considering or actively trying to make a career change – down from 59% in 2021 to 37% in 2023.
A third (34%) are expecting a pay rise over the next 12 months, while over half (56%) believe their employer invests in the skills they need to advance their career. Yet peers in India (77%) and China (73%) are much more upbeat on this point.
Around 45% of Singapore’s workers say they’re underpaid for their job and 46% also report that they are sometimes, often or always paid incorrectly. Plus, on average they work over eight hours of unpaid time a week.
Lack of progression (42%), fewer benefits than expected (41%) and increased responsibility without increased pay (36%) are three key reasons for job dissatisfaction among Singapore’s workers — sentiments reflected throughout APAC.
What do Singaporean employers do well? 69% of workers said being given access to pay information online, 68% cited seeing health and safety taken seriously and 62% liked their contribution being recognised.
When asked what skills will be important in their role in the next five years, workers highlighted management (41%), people (37%) and data analysis skills (34%).
Singapore's employers are facing a wake-up call. Find out what workers really want.
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