Only 13% of Singapore firms plan office changes

Only 5% of Singapore businesses anticipate downsizing their office footprint in the coming year.

Although Singapore employees are increasingly calling for better office environments, only a small percentage of local businesses are planning to make meaningful changes, according to Crown Workspace.

In findings drawn from a nationally representative sample of Singapore office workers and facilities managers, Crown Workspace reported that just 13% of Singaporean businesses expect to make changes to their office environment in the next year.

This figure ranks amongst the lowest of all countries surveyed globally. In comparison, the study included responses from markets such as the UK, the US, India, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

Alongside the limited appetite for office redesign, only 5% of Singapore businesses anticipate downsizing their office footprint in the coming year.

This is also the lowest downsizing figure across the markets included in the study, highlighting Singapore firms’ conservative approach to space planning despite global shifts toward hybrid and flexible work arrangements.

The cautious stance amongst employers stands in contrast to strong employee preferences for more supportive office environments. Crown Workspace previously reported that 91% of workers globally, including those in Singapore, would return to the office more often if workplaces better supported their needs.

Employees increasingly value features such as quiet zones, personalised workstations, and hybrid-friendly design to support wellbeing and productivity.

A Singapore-based healthcare sector respondent also reflected evolving worker expectations, citing the importance of “an eco-friendly setting, supported by the latest technology to promote productivity and creativity.”