SG well-being improves but trails global gains

New data from Intellect shows Singapore is managing stress better (+10.4%), but well-being gains remain modest.

Workplace stress management efforts have led to modest year-on-year gains in employee mental well-being and productivity, but a significant gap remains compared to global levels, according to a new report by Intellect.

The latest Workplace Wellbeing 360 Report 2026 said that employees saw modest year-on-year gains in both Mental Wellbeing (+0.95% points) and Productivity (+2.86% points). These were thanks to a significant rise in Stress Management (+10.42% points), suggesting that employees are better equipped to cope with work pressures.

The report defines mental well-being as the ability to feel energised and confident to achieve goals whilst experiencing low levels of stress or anxiety. Productivity, meanwhile, is the extent to which mental or physical health affects work productivity and attendance.

“The overall progress remains relatively modest compared with global trends. Globally, Mental Wellbeing increased by 10.2% points and Productivity rose by 8.07% points,” the report said.

“This indicates that whilst Singapore’s efforts in stress management are yielding positive results, there is still room to strengthen mental well-being and productivity,” it added.

On Employee Engagement levels, global data increased by 2.61% points, whilst Singapore saw a 1.13% point decline.

“Combined with only a slight increase in Growth Mindset amongst Singapore employees (+0.14% points), suggesting limited proactive pursuit of learning and personal development, these trends point to stronger signs of functional disengagement amongst employees in Singapore,” Intellect said.

When it comes to personal factors that drive employees, patterns of functional disengagement in Singapore corresponded with declines in 8 out of 13 personal factors, in particular, Purpose and Meaning and Goal Orientation.

“The two strongest predictors of employee engagement - Optimism and Encouraging Participation - show a downward trend among Singapore employees, signalling potential challenges for sustaining employee engagement,” the report said.

Intellect said organisations need to create the psychological conditions that inspire employees to give their best to achieve both productivity and high performance, and position themselves for long-term growth.

Source: SBR