The Increasing Disengagement from Youths Towards the Workforce.

Yin Kai Yu, a 23-year-old NUS Business Analytics student, has not been working since his summer holidays in 2024.

Despite a few of his peers actively searching for internships and jobs, Kai Yu remains unfazed. “Many people around me have linked their self-worth to their jobs. This fostered a lot of comparison around me and I just did not want to be in that environment.” Kai Yu commented when asked about his choice in not entering the job market.

Apart from the social pressure he felt was circulating around him, he mentioned how privileged he has been to have his college fees and meals fully subsidized by his parents.

Kai Yu is not the only individual outside of the job market. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), there has been an increase in male residents, aged 20 to 24, who are outside the labour force.

Despite the traditional stereotype where a man has to work and provide income for the household, many male Gen Zs, born between 1997 to 2010, are confidently breaking that stigma.

According to the MOM data set, there has been an overall rise in male youths (aged 20-24) outside of the labour force between 2006 and 2024, with an increase of 18,400 more male youths (aged 20-24) since 2006.

The growth in numbers started in 1990, indicating that the different generations have evolved in terms of their needs and wants over the years. This is explained by Mdm Bernadette Chng, a Human Resource Recruiter from Randstad who says, “What we had back then is not what we have now. We have much more now. Back then, the needs and wants were very straightforward.”

Our parents and grandparents were part of Generation X and Baby Boomers respectively. Their needs consisted of putting food on the table and having a roof over their heads. As generations shifted over the years, priorities shifted as well. 

Mdm Chng whose children are schooling says, “They do have a roof over their heads, they have food, and they have that quality of life…They are well primed to choose their own purpose”.

Since a majority of male Gen Zs have had their basic necessities provided for them whilst growing up, their priorities are no longer just bringing food to the table but also living a quality life, one where they can choose their own purpose with little limitations.

Their increased exposure towards the digital media have aided them in learning the vast streams of income and revenue, where they can earn money without being employed. Mdm Chng explains, “They are much more educated on how to manoeuvre the different streams of income, how to invest in stocks, how to look at crypto...”

Despite the growth in mindsets and opportunities, staying unemployed is still out of the question for these young college male students.

When asked about his chances of entering the workforce, Kai Yu undeniably declares, “Due to how expensive the economy has become, I would definitely see myself entering the workforce.”