Burnout Culture in Singapore 2025: Are We Still Romanticising Hustle?

In Singapore, burnout culture in 2025 still lingers beneath the surface of our celebrated hustle. From our school years to the professional world, the drive to push forward, achieve more, and stay competitive often feels like second nature. But as we settle into 2025, the question becomes more relevant than ever: Is the grind still worth it? Are we continuing to romanticise hustle, or beginning to find a healthier rhythm?

Budget 2025: Gentle Shifts Toward Sustainable Work

This year’s Budget reflected a growing awareness that how we work is just as important as what we produce. Among the measures introduced was increased support for flexible work arrangements (FWAs), including a new Tripartite Implementation Support Scheme to help more companies put these into practice thoughtfully.

There was also added support for caregiving both in terms of financial backing through CareShield Life and in recognising the challenges working caregivers face. These moves suggest that wellbeing is being seen not just as a personal responsibility, but as a shared value.

It’s encouraging to see flexibility and mental health being approached as part of broader productivity and social sustainability efforts. These steps may seem small, but culturally, they matter.

Despite the progress, burnout culture in Singapore 2025 continues to be a common experience. According to a 2024 NTUC study, more than 60% of workers in Singapore reported experiencing work-related stress. Many still find it hard to disconnect, or feel a sense of guilt when taking leave or even ending work on time.

This tells us that the challenge isn’t just about policy it’s also about mindset. For many, rest still feels like a luxury rather than a need. And often, being visible at work is still more valued than being effective.

These are deeply ingrained beliefs, and shifting them takes time and intention not only from individuals but also from leaders, teams, and organisations as a whole.

The term “work-life balance” is familiar to most of us, but what does it truly mean in practice? Is it enough to have flexible hours, if the workload remains the same? Is working from home really sustainable if it blurs the line between professional and personal life?

Real balance goes beyond scheduling. It’s about having clarity around boundaries, feeling safe to rest, and knowing that your wellbeing matters just as much as your output. It also means leadership showing through their own habits that health and sustainability are part of success, not separate from it.

So, Are We Still Hustling?

Hustle culture hasn’t disappeared but the conversation around it is shifting. More companies are asking deeper questions about what kind of work culture they want to create. And many individuals are also learning to check in with themselves more honestly: What do I need right now? What does thriving look like for me?

There’s still work to be done. But there’s also real progress. The support outlined in Budget 2025 feels like an invitation to reimagine success, to care for ourselves and one another, and to design a working life that has room for both ambition and rest.

If we can keep listening, keep adjusting, and stay open to new ways of working, we might just be moving toward something healthier not perfect, but more human.

References

• Ministry of Finance Singapore, Budget 2025 Speech & Highlights

  
  

  https://www.mof.gov.sg

• Ministry of Manpower, Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (2024)

  
  

  https://www.mom.gov.sg

• NTUC Survey 2024: Workplace Mental Wellness in Singapore