Indonesian formal sector workers are increasingly prioritising Singapore as their top destination for employment abroad, according to a recent survey by Populix. The study, which surveyed 1,000 Indonesians, revealed that 82% of respondents favour Singapore over other Southeast Asian countries, with Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand following behind.
Populix’s Co-Founder and CEO, Timothy Astandu, highlighted that Asian countries remain the primary choice for Indonesian workers seeking international employment, with 67% of respondents choosing Asia. Europe, Australia and Oceania, and the Middle East were also considered, but to a lesser extent. The appeal of these regions is largely due to higher salaries, career development opportunities, and perceived safety and stability.
In the context of Southeast Asia, Singapore stands out, with eight out of ten Indonesians considering it for work. Astandu noted, “Singapore is seen as one of the several countries with the strongest economy in Asia, offering the highest salary standards among its neighbours, including Indonesia.”
The survey also indicated that the decision to work abroad is driven by the desire to improve economic welfare, career prospects, and quality of life. However, challenges such as language barriers and cultural adaptation remain concerns for potential migrant workers. The IT sector, in particular, is a significant draw, with 91% of Indonesian IT professionals eyeing Singapore due to its high salaries and job stability.
Singapore’s recent initiatives, such as the New Enterprise Compute Initiative, which allocates S$150m to support AI adoption in businesses, further enhance its attractiveness. Additionally, the Tech:X programme, a collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore, offers a one-year work visa for tech talents, facilitating easier movement between the two countries.
The trend of Indonesian workers moving to Singapore is also reflected in citizenship transfers, with 3,912 Indonesians changing their nationality to Singaporean between 2019 and 2022. As the international job market becomes more competitive, Astandu advises prospective workers to prepare thoroughly for the challenges ahead.
“`
This news story was carefully selected and published by a human editor, though the content itself was AI-generated. If you spot an error, please report it here.
