Singapore has the most globally-mobile workforce in Asia, with 97 per cent of current jobseekers admitting they would consider leaving Singapore to work overseas.

In the poll by recruiting experts Hays, 85 per cent would leave for better job opportunities, career development or exposure, while 12 per cent would leave for lifestyle factors. Just 3 per cent would not consider leaving Singapore to work overseas.

The same poll was run across Hays’ network in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Japan.China had the second most globally-mobile workforce, with 96 per cent of jobseekers willing to consider leaving China to work overseas (85 per cent for better job opportunities, career development or exposure, and 11 per cent for lifestyle factors).

In Hong Kong 94 per cent of respondents would work overseas, just ahead of Malaysia’s 93 per cent. 82 per cent of Hong Kongers and 84 per cent of Malaysians would leave for better job opportunities, career development or exposure, while 12 per cent of Hong Kongers and 9 per cent of Malaysians would leave for lifestyle factors.

In Japan, only 88 per cent of current jobseekers would consider working overseas; 65 per cent for better job opportunities, career development or exposure, and 23 per cent for lifestyle factors (the highest of the five countries polled).

“The opportunity to gain highly valued international experience is the number one factor driving local talent overseas,” says Christine Wright, Managing Director of Hays in Asia.

“These candidates want to gain a job overseas because employers increasingly value local talent with international experience and an international mindset. These candidates are even more highly valued than expatriates since they combine their Westernised way of thinking and experience of how business is done overseas with local cultural understanding.

“They also develop cross-cultural communication skills, which can only come from being immersed in another culture and gaining the insight to give you intercultural understanding and cultural adaptability.

“With an increasing number of MNCs establishing or expanding their regional offices here, demand for local talent with global business experience and acumen will only continue to increase,” she said.

In total, 2,553 job seekers were polled.

Last month Hays released its Singapore Returners Report, which looks at what will attract skilled Singaporeans home. For more, read Hays’ Singaporean Returners Report.

Hays is located in Singapore at Level 27, UOB Plaza 2, 80 Raffles Place, Singapore.

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.