SINGAPORE: Nearly one in five Singapore workers was overqualified in 2025, though this rate remains lower than in other high-income economies, according to a study by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) that was released on Tuesday (Apr 14)....
DRIVEN BY CHOICE
Among overqualified workers, about nine in 10 – or 17.7 per cent of the workforce – were in roles below their qualification levels, often due to preferences such as work-life balance, flexibility or career transitions.
According to MOM, the share of involuntarily overqualified workers (1.7 per cent) has remained low and stable – at below 3 per cent – over the past decade, suggesting limited structural mismatch in the labour market.
Those who voluntarily take on roles below their qualifications most commonly cite job stability (31.1 per cent), the ability to use their skills (25.3 per cent), and interesting work (24.4 per cent). Others prioritise flexible arrangements such as suitable working hours and flexible schedules, highlighting a wide range of personal motivations. CNA
This problem of Singaporeans being underemployed, ie working at a lower level job than what they are qualified for, can be easily explained away. A personal choice, flexibility, worklife balance, or like graduates becoming taxi drivers to be their own boss... may be a superficial treatment of a very serious problem in Singapore. Using statistics for comparison to feel good about it, that it is normal, is not normal. Why would anyone spend hundreds of thousands of good money, time and stress, to get a higher qualification but then chose to work in a lower level and less paying job? It just does not make sense. Why would a graduate want to become a hawker or food deliverer or a taxi driver? There may be a very few cases with genuine reasons, but this situation is abnormal, illogical, irrational, unacceptable, more likely a forced choice. What is the truth?
There have been many reports of foreign employment agencies making comments that Singaporeans are not suitable for jobs because their qualifications and experience are less attractive than foreigners from God knows what universities, from God knows where, and God knows what experience. There were also remarks that the interviewers, often foreigners, somehow would bypass Singaporeans and preferred foreigners in job placement. Foreigners discriminating against Singaporeans in Singapore. True? Proud of it? No need to bother? Foreigners are so talented, our saviours?
How valid and relevant are surveys is subjective though they are meant to be objective. Underemployment affects Singaporeans in many ways, individually, socially and the general wellbeing of the country. If more and more Singaporeans ended up underemployed, ie being replaced by foreigners of questionable background and qualification, what does it mean for the country and people in the long run? Would Singaporeans ended up as second class citizens, the pariahs in their own country with scintillating degrees but becoming buskers, asking for alms? Busking can be fun and a good source of side income for the students while studying. Would Singapore end up being run by foreigners, foreigners bossing over Singaporeans and despising and ridiculing Singaporeans as unqualified, unsuitable, lack the right experience, poor work attitude, no talent, no drive, do not want to be CEOs, despite their over expensive and highly hyped qualifications from the world's top universities, and best, reporting to foreigners with dubious, unverified qualifications and resumes?
This problem of unemployment must be looked into seriously and not brush aside with superficial excuses by Singaporeans responsible for the well being of Singaporeans. Are there safeguards, systems or organisations that are in place to take care of Singaporean's interests, to ensure that Singaporeans are not cheated or shortchanged in their own country, the country where they not only pledged loyalty to but also donned uniforms to defend with their lives? Singaporeans deserve to be treated better in their own country and not just like any foreigners. Citizens to be treated equally with foreigners is an insult to Singaporeans.
If Singaporeans, PR are not citizens, continue to be sidelined in one way or another, intentionally or unintentionally, and losing their rightful place in their own country, what is the point of calling themselves citizens and doing National Service? The govt owes a great responsibility to ensure that every Singaporean does not lose out to foreigners in getting decently employed befitting his qualifications, NOT underemployed. One way is for all govt agencies, ministries, GLCs to have Singaporeans to head their HR departments and be fully in control of job placement with preference for Singaporeans.
What do you think, Singaporeans?