71% of women surveyed in Singapore agree gender inequality exists at the workplace

Younger women aged 18-24 were most likely to say there is gender disparity at the workplace (74%), versus a much lower 5% who said there is none.

While the labour force participation rate and median gross monthly income for women in Singapore continued to see a year-on-year increase in 2021, a recent survey by YouGov Profiles shows that gender equality in the workplace "remains elusive", with seven in 10 (71%) women agreeing that men and women experience unequal treatment at work.

On the contrary, just over half (55%) of men surveyed believed so. 

Breaking down the data by industry — about eight in 10 women respondents in construction (82%) were most likely to agree that gender inequality exists in the workplace, the survey noted.

This was followed by those working in engineering, design, or architecture, as well as health or medical services — both at 77% respectively.

Across the sectors involved, the findings were as follows:

Construction:

• Disagree: 4%
• Neither agree or disagree: 14%
• Agree: 82%

Engineering, design, or architecture

• Disagree: 7%
• Neither agree or disagree: 17%
• Agree: 77%

Health or medical services

• Disagree: 6%
• Neither agree or disagree: 17%
• Agree: 77%

Education

• Disagree: 4%
• Neither agree or disagree: 22%
• Agree: 74%

Banking

• Disagree: 4%
• Neither agree or disagree: 22%
• Agree: 74%

Business services

• Disagree: 6%
• Neither agree or disagree: 21%
• Agree: 73%

Transportation

• Disagree: 5%
• Neither agree or disagree: 25%
• Agree: 70%

Manufacturing

• Disagree: 8%
• Neither agree or disagree: 25%
• Agree: 68%

Technology services

• Disagree: 6%
• Neither agree or disagree: 27%
• Agree: 68%

Others

• Disagree: 6%
• Neither agree or disagree: 27%
• Agree: 67%

Women aged 18-24 were most likely to agree gender disparity exists at work

Apart from the above, the survey findings were also broken down by the age of the respondents. With this, younger women aged 18-24 were most likely to say there is gender disparity at the workplace (74%), versus a much lower 5% who said there is none.

This sentiment was shared by a lesser percentage of women aged above 55 (69%). That said, those above 55 were also most likely to be retired (25%), working part-time (23%), or not working (7%), thus leading to fewer workplace interactions, the survey highlighted.

The overall findings by age were as follows:

18-24

• Disagree: 5%
• Neither agree or disagree: 21%
• Agree: 74%

25-34

• Disagree: 4%
• Neither agree or disagree: 25%
• Agree: 71%

35-44

• Disagree: 5%
• Neither agree or disagree: 22%
• Agree: 72%

45-54

• Disagree: 6%
• Neither agree or disagree: 23%
• Agree: 71%

55+

• Disagree: 3%
• Neither agree or disagree: 28%
• Agree: 69%

The total number of respondents involved in the survey has not been specified, and HRO has reached out to YouGov for more information. 

DON'T MISS: In commemoration of International Women's Day coming up on 8 March 2022 (Tuesday), HRO has an exciting series of special stories coming up all month - featuring over 140 leaders across the region. Stay updated via our daily e-bulletin, and bookmark this page for an easy read!

Image / YouGov

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