\n<\/p>\n
2025 was a relatively solid year for Singapore, on paper at least.<\/p>\n
Second-richest country in the world<\/a>? Check.<\/p>\n Our gross domestic product (GDP) expanding a healthy 4.8 per cent? Check.<\/p>\n Not bad, right? All that in the face of US tariffs, huge layoffs, and geopolitical stress.<\/p>\n Singapore\u2019s global ranking was largely driven by the high average annual earnings of US$90,700 (S$116,485).<\/p>\n But there is a catch.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to a chart posted on Instagram by The Economist, Singapore tumbles drastically from second to eighth place once working hours were factored in. Ouch.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), Singaporeans worked approximately 44.6 hours on average a week.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Norway\u00a0climbed from third to the top spot after local prices and its average working hours \u2014\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>34 hours weekly\u00a0\u2014<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0were factored in.<\/p>\n In comparison, the country with the longest average working hours weekly at 54.5 hours is Bhutan<\/a>, which\u00a0is still dubbed the \u201chappiest country in the world<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n The Economist’s list was created by ranking 178 countries using three measures:<\/p>\n \u201cPrices differ between countries, and a modest salary can go further where things are cheaper. Working hours vary too: some places manage to generate high incomes with fewer hours of labour, leaving time for leisure,\u201d The Economist explained.<\/p>\n Some netizens were intrigued by the findings, with one lamenting: \u201cSingapore works too many hours\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWho wants to move to Norway now? They are winning at getting paid and going home early. Life goals unlocked,\u201d another wrote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n