Singapore employees are often cited as working some of the longest hours in the world. Looking at our GDP per capita, which is one of the highest in the world, working long hours and stressful jobs may not be a big surprise.
Under Singapore’s Employment Act, working hours is regulated – to protect certain groups of employees here. The Employment Act defines “hours of work” is the time during which an employee is at the employer’s disposal and is not free to dispose of his or her own time and movements exclusive of any intervals allowed for rest and meals.
Keeping track of the working hours in Singapore is also important as it is an input to measure economic indicators in Singapore, such as productivity.
Read Also: Singapore Employment Act: 10 Statutory Requirements To Pay Employees
What Is The Average Working Hours In Singapore?
In 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reported the average weekly hours worked by employed residents fell to 41.6 hours. In fact, the average weekly hours has been on a downtrend for some time now.
According to MOM, this decline in hours worked is a long-term trend also observed in other advanced economies. Factors that contribute to this include the shift to a more regular workweek, decreased excessive work hours, and improved efficiency through training, technology, and flexible work arrangements.
We should also note that this downtrend in weekly hours worked has been coupled with an uptrend in median salaries in Singapore.
However, we should also note that MOM’s data does not capture unpaid overtime hours worked by executives and management staff – who are normally not paid for working overtime.
Which Industry Works The Most Hours In Singapore?
MOM also publishes the average actual working hours on an industry level.
| Industry | 3Q 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| TOTAL | 43.3 | 43.6 | 44.1 | 44.2 |
| Manufacturing | 45.7 | 46.5 | 47.5 | 47.8 |
| Construction | 47.8 | 48.6 | 49.9 | 49.8 |
| Wholesale & Retail Trade | 41.4 | 41.4 | 42.2 | 42.4 |
| Transportation & Storage | 44.2 | 44.3 | 45.2 | 45.4 |
| Accommodation | 44.7 | 45.2 | 45.1 | 44.7 |
| Food & Beverage Services | 39.2 | 39.4 | 39.7 | 39.7 |
| Information & Communications | 40.9 | 40.6 | 40.9 | 41.4 |
| Financial & Insurance Services | 40.4 | 40.8 | 41.3 | 41.7 |
| Real Estate Services | 43.9 | 43.2 | 43.2 | 43.4 |
| Professional Services | 42.7 | 42.3 | 42.6 | 42.4 |
| Administrative & Support Services | 43.3 | 43.7 | 43.6 | 44.8 |
| Public Administration & Education | 41.4 | 41.4 | 41.3 | 41.4 |
| Health & Social Services | 41.9 | 42.3 | 43.7 | 42.8 |
| Others (includes Agriculture, Fishing, Quarrying, Utilities and Sewerage & Waste Management | 45.3 | 44.4 | 45.1 | 45.2 |
According to the statistics, employees in the Food & Beverage Services, Information & Communications, and Financial & Insurance Services industries worked the least number of hours – under 41 hours per week. Employees in the Food & Beverage Services and Financial & Insurance Services also saw fewer working hours compared to 2023.
Meanwhile, employees working in the Construction industry worked the most by far – at 47.8 hours per week. Neverthelees, they too had fewer working hours compared to 2023.
Employees in the Information & Communication, Real Estate Services, and Professional Services industries worked slightly more hours compared to 2023.
For those wondering what this classification is based on, given that there are “Others” and obviously some missing ones, we can refer to the SSIC Code.
Read Also: What is Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) Code And Why It Matters?
How Many Hours Can Employees Work (According To The Employment Act)?
Under Part 4 of the Employment Act, employees cannot be required to work for “more than 6 consecutive hours without a period of leisure” and for “more than 8 hours in one day or more than 44 hours in one week”.
There are certain provisions to provide greater flexibility as well. For example, employees can work up to 9 hours in one day if they work less on another day, but only up to the limit of 44 hours in one week. Employees can also work up to 48 hours per week, provided that they do not work more than 9 hours in one day and more than 88 hours in a two week period.
As “Hours of work” falls under Part 4 of the Employment Act, we should also note that it only applies to certain groups of employees, such as:
#1 to workmen who are paid a salary not exceeding $4,500 a month (excluding other types of payments and bonuses)
#2 every employee (other than workmen or a person employed in a managerial or executive position) who receives a salary not exceeding $2,600 a month (excluding other types of payments and bonuses)
Part-Time Workers Are Defined By Their Hours Of Work Per Week
The Employment Act also defines part-time employees as “an employee who is required under his or her contract of service with an employer to work for less than 35 hours per week”.
By this definition, it also means that full-time employment refers to employees with normal working hours that is at least 35 hours per week.
Read Also: Part-Time Employment Regulations: 10 Things To Know When Hiring A Part-Timer
How Accurate Is The Statistics On Hours Worked Per Week?
According to MOM, the statistics on hours worked is compiled from its biennial Conditions of Employment Survey. This means it is self-reported by employers.
Moreover, as mentioned above, some of these statistics also do not take into consideration unpaid overtime hours worked by executives and management staff as they are normally not paid for working overtime.
While the number of hours worked in singapore is reducing over the years, Singapore employees still work relatively long hours compared other countries. A simple Google search for “which countries work the longest hours” will reveal stats pointing to Singapore’s long working hours. Even if Singapore is missing from any particular reports, our 43.3 hours average work week will rank quite high on many international lists.
Read Also: 17 Types of Leaves Offered By Singapore Companies (Statutory And Non-Statutory)
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