Singapore
24th Annual Vacation Deprivation Report finds Singapore millennials are more vacation deprived than any other generation, with 66% report feeling deprived compared to 62% globally
June 20, 2024, SINGAPORE — According to Expedia’s 24th annual Vacation Deprivation Report,1 released today, a worrying number of Singaporean millennials and women workers have admitted feeling the most vacation deprived compared to any other generation, and male workers.
Expedia’s report has been analyzing time-off trends around the world for 24 years, and while Singaporean vacation deprivation (defined as the feeling of not having enough time off) has consistently remained in the most vacation deprived location category for 5 years in a row, it’s clear working adults in Singapore could benefit from adopting some of the time-off strategies and attitudes in other countries.
Lessons in Leisure
International vacation deprivation has remained the same in 2023, with approximately two-thirds of employed professionals saying they feel somewhat or very vacation deprived.
The top reasons for not holidaying are that workers are saving time off for unexpected leave (37%), too busy to plan for a holiday and saving money for one big trip (27%).
The 2024 report also found that 57% of Singaporean workers did not take all their vacation days in 2023, with women workers leaving an average of 2 days in their leave bank, versus their male workers, with women workers (18.1) receiving 3.7 fewer vacation days compared to male workers (21.8). The report also revealed that Singapore women feel more vacation deprived than male workers (66% versus 59%).
| Most to least vacation deprived (year over year): | Most to least vacation days taken: | Most to least days left behind: |
| Germany (84%) + 14% | Germany – 27 days | Japan – 7 days left |
| France (69%) – 2% | Hong Kong – 28 days | Australia – 3 days left |
| United States (65%) +2% | Germany – 27 days | New Zealand – 3 days left |
| Mexico (64%) –13% | United Kingdom – 25 days | Mexico – 2 days left |
| Singapore (62%) +4% | Singapore – 19 days | Germany – 2 days left |
| Canada (58%) +1% | Australia – 18 days | France – 2 days left |
| Australia (57%) -8% | New Zealand – 18 days | United Kingdom – 2 days left |
| Hong Kong (57%) -4% | Canada – 18 days | Singapore – 1 day left |
| United Kingdom (56%) Same | Mexico – 14 days | United States – 1 day left |
| New Zealand (55%) +1% | Japan – 12 days | Canada – 1 day left |
| Japan (53%) +10% | United States – 11 days | Hong Kong – 2 days over |
Singapore employers continue to champion deserving vacation time
In 2024, a quarter of Singaporeans plan to take more holidays than they did in 2023 and the nation’s employers could encourage it. Expedia’s report showed that Singapore employers are doing an excellent job of encouraging people to take vacation days, with 74% of Singaporeans feeling their employer is supportive of them taking personal time off.
When asked about the effects of taking personal time off or a holiday on professional work life, 87% agreed with having a more positive attitude after a holiday with 83% indicating a need to switch off from work.
Stress factors that contribute to planning a holiday or taking time off from work are: ‘worrying about returning to a large number of e-mails and workload (74%), fear of missing out on something important at work (62%) and feeling guilty for having coworkers cover their work when on a holiday (55%).’
However, 94% of the respondents agree that regular holidays are important for general health and well-being, with 92% affirming it is their basic right to take their time off.
Singapore workers versus the rest of the world
With Singapore sitting in the middle of the pack for feelings of vacation deprivation and days left behind, there are lessons to be learned from other markets:
Japan
Takeaways from the least vacation-deprived market in the world:
- Make weekends count: Japanese respondents are seven times more likely to vacation monthly compared to United States workers (32% vs. 5%), despite only taking one additional day of PTO (12 vs. 11) annually. Their strategy: Take advantage of federal holidays or office and school closures to schedule frequent, short getaways that allow for a break from the routine and a quick refresh between longer trips, without dipping into precious paid time off.
- Prioritize R&R: It is tempting to pack as much as possible into a week away. For 84% of Japanese travellers, it is their number one goal to prioritize as much rest and relaxation during their holiday.
France
No one vacations quite like the French, taking the most days off globally. Here is their formula:
- Spread it out: 57% of Singaporeans did not use all their time off in 2023 because they were allocating for an emergency or contingency, which end up leaving days unused. French respondents, on the other hand, tend to shy away from the “big trip,” with a third (30%) opting to spread their days off evenly throughout the year instead. Taking the pressure off a big annual trip can be a time, money, and paid time off saver for deprived Singapore travellers.
Other Time-Off Champions Around the World
- Hong Kong respondents did not leave vacation days unused but instead took more time off on average than they were allocated. Looking ahead, 15% vow to do it again in 2024 (highest globally).
- Coming in as the most vacation-deprived location this year (84%), German respondents are motivated to make a change and more determined than ever to use all their time off in 2024 (77% vs. 39% of Singaporeans)
“We may not be able to control how many days off we get, but the research begs the question: What can we learn from other locations that will help Singaporeans break this horrible habit of not using the time off we do have, said Lavinia Rajaram, Travel Expert at Expedia. “In Japan, people take time off every month instead of just twice a year. For the French, not even a full month of vacation feels like enough time. Clearly there is a lot for those in Singapore to borrow from, whether it is spreading your paid time off throughout the year or prioritizing rest on your next holiday.”
Summer deals for Singapore travellers
Now through July 14, vacation-deprived Expedia members can save 25% or more on thousands of hotels* with Expedia’s Sale. With deals valid for travel through the end of October, it’s the perfect time to become a member and lock in a trip to ensure vacation days don’t get left behind this year.
Ends
1About the Vacation Deprivation Report:
Expedia first commissioned Vacation Deprivation in the year 2000 to examine the work-life balance of people worldwide. The annual study is currently in its 24th year and was conducted online among 11,580 respondents across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Commissioned from March 26 to April 3, 2024, on behalf of Expedia by Harris Research Partners, a global strategic research firm, responses were gathered using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels. Looking at the margin of error for the global average, a 1–4% difference is statistically significant at 90% confidence.
* Expedia’s Summer Sale is available on selected properties only. Book by 14/07/2024 11:59pm in the hotel property’s local time. Stay between 18/06/2024–31/10/2024. Member Prices are available to Expedia® app users and Expedia® Rewards members. Limited availability, blackout periods may apply.
