Is your job still your whole identity? Perhaps, at least, not for the 52.8% of Singaporeans who’ve taken a career break. A survey done in May 2024 reveals that while work still matters, many Singaporeans are starting to ask: how much of my life should work really take up? The takeaway is that life outside the office still matters more to most.

Is Work Still Your Biggest Achievement?

Only 31.3% of HappyDotters said their biggest life achievement was work-related. More are now chasing milestones like personal growth, experiences, and relationships.

For decades, Singapore’s work culture has celebrated long hours, ambition, and career wins. But that mindset is shifting. When asked if “the most important things in life involve work,” only 30.8% agreed ,while 29.6% remain neutral, and 39.6% disagree. More Singaporeans are realizing that the best moments often happen outside office hours.

Family First, Career Later

The top reason for career breaks? Family. Whether it’s caregiving or simply wanting to be present at home, 35.9% of HappyDotters who have taken a break hit pause to put loved ones first, showing a major shift from Singapore’s traditionally career-centric mindset.

Health over Hustling

Forget the grind. Around 1 in 3 HappyDotters (35.1%) said their reason for stepping away from work was simple: they needed to rest and recharge An overwhelming 86.7% of HappyDotters said they had no regrets about taking a career break, with the top reason being that it helped them feel mentally or emotionally recharged (63.8%), followed by their physical health improve (33.5%)

New Skills, New Purpose

21.2% of HappyDotters used their career break to pick up new skills unrelated to work. Whether it’s pottery or piano, the desire to grow outside one’s career is alive and well.

 Taking a break isn’t giving up – it’s growing up.

Stepping back isn’t a setback. Whether it’s to care for loved ones, recharge your well-being, or pursue passions outside the 9-to-5, career breaks are no longer a red flag but a reset. As more Singaporeans hit pause, perhaps it’s time we rethink what real success looks like.

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