Economic instability is reshaping the global workforce, with more than half of workers worldwide living paycheck to paycheck, according to the ADP Research’s People at Work 2025 report. The study, which surveyed nearly 38,000 workers across 34 markets, reveals that 23% of workers globally hold two or more jobs to cover necessary expenses. This trend is mirrored in Singapore, where 60% of respondents report living paycheck to paycheck, exceeding the Asia Pacific average of 48%.
Jessica Zhang, Senior Vice President of APAC at ADP, noted, “Although Singapore’s core inflation rate has stabilised over the past two years, the impact of cost-of-living pressures remains evident. Our findings indicate that many people are earning just enough to meet their needs, with some taking on additional work to manage daily and future expenses.”
The survey indicates that workers take on multiple jobs primarily to cover necessary expenses, save for future spending, and build retirement savings. In regions with low average wages relative to living costs, such as parts of Africa, Latin America, and Asia, holding multiple jobs is often a necessity. In Singapore, workers with three or more jobs cite covering necessary expenses and the inability to secure full-time employment as reasons for their multiple roles.
ADP’s chief economist, Nela Richardson, emphasised the need for employers to adopt a holistic approach to compensation, suggesting that benefits like health insurance and subsidised childcare could alleviate financial pressures and enhance employee loyalty and productivity.
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