Rise in the number of women in the workforce over the past decade

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore’s resident employment rate for women has risen over the past decade to 57.7 percent in 2020, and this places as well as compared to fellow OECD countries. 

Furthermore, women’s share among professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) has also increased over the decade to 45.6 percent. More females are joining growth sectors such as information and communications, health and social services, and financial services, making up 52.8 percent in the above three sectors. Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) jobs also increased to 32.4 percent in 2020.

More support for women to re-join and stay in the workforce

According to a study on Singapore’s adjusted gender pay gap in 2019, differences in gender ratios across different occupations could be due to gender differences in terms of psychological and personality traits, social norms, skills, or values placed on workplace flexibility.

Women are also provided support from the government with their caregiving needs through subsidised care services and grants to enable them to better manage their work and caregiving responsibilities. Other support includes flexible work arrangements, re-aditing re-entry into the workforce through employment facilitation and training support, and boosting their retirement adequacy.

A small number of women who were not able to participate in the workforce cited family-related responsibilities (15 percent) while others worked part-time due to personal or family commitments (6 percent). To help these caregivers accumulate sufficient savings in their CPF for retirement, the Silver support scheme provides quarterly payouts of up to $900. Other support for older caregivers includes tapping on housing monetisation schemes such as Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus.

What are your thoughts on encouraging more women to rejoin the workforce? How can companies better support women to stay in their chosen careers?