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Seeing the Full Picture: Rethinking Gender Differences in Singapore Through Data

Derrick Yuen, MBA
Jul 13
3 min read

In conversations about gender inequality, much of the attention understandably centers around the challenges that women have historically faced—whether in pay, leadership, or access to opportunities. In Singapore, this awareness has driven significant progress in women’s education, employment, and representation.

Yet, as we strive toward a more equal society, it’s important to recognize that gender inequality doesn’t cut only one way. A closer look at national data tells a more nuanced story—one where both men and women face distinct challenges, and where outcomes vary significantly depending on the context.

🎓 Education: Women Leading the Way

In 2024, data shows that 65% of Singaporean women aged 29 hold university degrees, compared to just 51% of men—a 14 percentage point gap, even after accounting for the effects of National Service. The last time men and women had similar levels of tertiary education was in 2000.

This reversal is a milestone in Singapore’s efforts to promote equal access to education. But it also raises new questions: Are we paying enough attention to the educational disengagement of young men? What long-term effects might this trend have on the workforce and social mobility?

💼 Jobs and Leadership: An Uneven, Yet Complex Picture

Some workplace inequalities persist:

60% of managerial and leadership roles are held by men
80–90% of technical jobs—such as machine operators and craftsmen—are held by men
76% of clerical roles are held by women

Meanwhile, sector-based breakdowns reveal even more divergence:

Healthcare and social services: 78% women
Construction: 70% men
While many other sectors are now gender-balanced

🚨 Social Vulnerabilities: Who’s Looking Out for Men?

While men continue to dominate top positions in leadership, they are also overrepresented in some of the most vulnerable parts of society:

Suicides: Over the last 10 years, 68–70% of suicide deaths in Singapore have been male
Prison population: 90% of inmates and 82% of recent admissions are male
National population: Males make up just 48% of Singapore residents

These are not small margins. And unlike leadership gaps, these disparities are rarely the subject of public campaigns or policy debates. The data calls for greater visibility and support for men’s mental health, education, and rehabilitation needs.

🧠 Avoiding Over-Correction in the Name of Equality

Efforts to level the playing field have rightly uplifted women in areas where they were historically underrepresented. But in doing so, we must also be careful not to unintentionally tilt the narrative to suggest that women are always disadvantaged—or that men always have the upper hand.

The truth is far more contextual:

Women are advancing in education and some professions
Men are overrepresented in risky, isolating, or low-mobility domains
Many sectors and roles are now balanced, and disparities often reflect structural trends rather than deliberate bias

🔍 Towards a More Balanced Approach to Gender Policy

As we continue to pursue fairness in outcomes and opportunities, we must resist the urge to simplify gender dynamics into a one-sided story. A more inclusive approach would:

Recognize areas where men struggle, and ensure policies don’t leave them behind
Celebrate women’s gains without diminishing male challenges
Base interventions on clear, contextualised data—not just perceptions

Ultimately, true gender equity is not about winning or losing. It’s about ensuring that everyone—regardless of gender—has the opportunity to thrive, and that we pay attention to all forms of disadvantage, not just the ones most visible or popular.

📢 Final Thought

Singapore’s success in advancing gender equality lies in its ability to be pragmatic, data-driven, and socially balanced. As we continue this journey, let’s make sure we’re seeing—and responding to—the full picture. Click each chart to access FYTs interactive dashboards and explore the data for yourself or contact us if you want to continue this discussion