Why Singapore is a global destination for digital nomads

When it comes to working remotely, digital nomads have their pick of countries, including Singapore. The country has been ranked 28th out of 109 countries, thanks to ‘world-leading’ digital and physical infrastructure, e-governance, excellent cybersecurity infrastructure, tourism attractiveness and English language proficiency.

The country’s appeal as a global employment destination is still strong. In 2023, Singapore was named by Deel’s State of Global Hiring Report 2023 as one of the ‘fastest growing South-East Asian countries in terms of global hiring’. The country was also ranked as the fifth most popular country to get visas for in 2023 globally.

In fact, according to Karen Ng, Regional Head of Expansion & Market Lead Singapore, Hong Kong, ASEAN, India, Deel, this high ranking has been attributed to the country’s strength as a global employment hub. With government-led initiatives like the Tech Pass, Tech@SG Programme, and ONE Pass scheme, Singapore is the go-to destination for global employees and businesses to set up regional hubs.

“While Singapore attracts talent, it faces shortages in highly specialised roles, prompting local organisations to hire globally,” Ng told HRM Asia. “With securing the right talent increasingly becoming a challenge, we see businesses begin to pivot to a more flexible and dynamic model of global hiring. Organisations are becoming more agile in talent acquisition and deployment, as the experience with remote work creates diverse opportunities beyond wholesale offshoring.”

READ MORE: Singapore a top Asian destination for remote work

Ng is optimistic about the future of Singapore’s role as a global employment hub, powered by its belief in the ideal of finding quality talent both within and beyond borders. “We are witnessing a new world of work emerging, with high-skilled global employees being less tightly attached to particular physical locations,” she concluded.