Singapore’s workforce is entering 2026 with a striking disconnect: while most workers believe happiness at work is possible, only 56% say they actually feel happy, placing Singapore among the lowest in the region.

Esther Lee, Managing Director, Singapore, Jobstreet by SEEK unpacks new findings that point to burnout, limited career progression and uneven access to purpose and recognition as key pressure points, even as pay is increasingly viewed as a baseline rather than a differentiator.