A new ManpowerGroup Global Talent Barometer 2026 survey shows that many employees in Singapore are increasingly anxious about job security, particularly due to the rise of AI and automation.

Despite significant stress and feelings of burnout, a majority of workers are choosing to stay in their current jobs. The survey, conducted with 515 local workers between September and October 2025, found Singapore’s overall talent sentiment score dipped slightly compared with the previous year. This was mainly due to declines in well-being and confidence metrics, even though overall job satisfaction rose a little.

While about 60% of employees plan to remain with their current employer, nearly three-quarters (73%) are actively looking for new opportunities. Job security concerns are high: around 39% expect the possibility of losing their job in the next six months. Even more — nearly 58% — fear that AI-driven automation could replace their roles within the next two years, a figure only slightly lower than last year’s.

Workplace pressures are also taking a toll. More than half of respondents report significant daily stress, and around 72% say they’ve experienced recent burnout. Stress, heavy workloads, and worries about job security were the top contributors to these feelings.

Other research reinforces these trends. Separate surveys have found that many Singapore workers are considering leaving their jobs for better pay, recognition, or flexibility, and that opportunities for training and upskilling — especially in tech fields like AI, IT literacy, and data analytics — are becoming key factors in career decisions.

According to ManpowerGroup Singapore’s country manager, employers now face the challenge of balancing short-term performance needs with preparing workers for an AI-driven future. She emphasized that organisations must invest more in employee well-being, resilience, and continuous learning to help ease anxiety and improve retention.