Singaporeans are always complaining about how
they wish they could migrate to another country to escape the poor
work-life balance, bad weather and what have you.
In fact, a
2016 poll found that 42% of the respondents wanted to
migrate, and there is indeed a growing
number of Singaporeans living overseas.
But this isn’t necessarily cause for concern,
because it turns out that there’s a fair
number of overseas Singaporeans who have returned or who intend to
return.
Here are the top three reasons overseas
Singaporeans decide to move back to the motherland. And, surprise
surprise, none of them involve hawker food cravings.
Overseas Singaporeans are often highly
educated and highly skilled, and those in certain industries find
that there’s no shortage of opportunities waiting for them back
home.
What’s more, their international experience is
looked upon as an advantage in Singapore, where the proliferation
of MNCs means that a global outlook is particularly prized—in fact,
the problem is rather that there aren’t enough Singaporeans who
have done overseas stints.
Overseas Singaporeans often find it even
easier to get hired when they come back home, where the competition
is much less stiff than in other major cities.
Other developed countries can be a lot more
protective of their local employees and stricter about the
employment of foreigners. The talent pool in London, New York, Hong
Kong or Sydney is huge, so it’s also a lot harder to outshine the
competition.
What is more, salaries in Singapore on the
upper end of the scale can be very attractive in certain fields,
even when compared to those in other developed societies,
especially when you take the low income tax rate into
consideration. Basically, if you’re working as a mechanic or
plumber, you’d be better off in Australia. But if you’re an
investment banker, coming home might be worth your while.
The lack of a support system overseas can be
incredibly stressful for parents. In other developed countries, you
can’t just hire a live-in maid from a third world country for $500
a month. You’d have to pay a babysitter a decent hourly rate.
Having parents or in-laws around to look after
your children is a huge benefit of being back in Singapore. Some
lucky Singaporeans are able to completely save on childcare by
leaving their kids with their parents or in-laws while they’re at
work.
Of course, not everyone’s parents/in-laws are
willing to take on the job of a full-time carer. But even if your
child is enrolled in childcare, it is infinitely less stressful
when you know you can have your parent take care of your kid when
you wish to enjoy the occasional date night with your spouse, or
spend some time with your friends.
Singaporeans might want to travel the world
when they’re young and sprightly, but as they get older, caring for
their aged parents starts to weigh on the minds of many.
The lack of a social safety net in Singapore
and the dismal state of our eldercare facilities makes putting your
aged parents in a nursing home a very unpalatable, and even
inhumane prospect for many.
What’s more, those who have a good
relationship with their parents might eventually want to move back
so they can spend more time with them in their twilight years,
before it’s too late.
The post Top 3 Reasons Overseas
Singaporeans Decide to Move Back Home appeared first on
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