Every year, Singapore attracts thousands of expatriates in search of professional opportunities in a city at the cutting edge of innovation, finance and technology. But behind the image of efficiency and comfort, the psychological reality is sometimes much more mixed.
Considered by some to be one of the most stressful places on the planet, Singapore cultivates a culture of extreme performance, where success is expected and failure little tolerated. For expatriates, this pressure adds to the challenges of remoteness, cultural adaptation and emotional isolation.
A brilliant company… but under pressure
In a recent article, journalist Karishma Vaswani described Singapore as an “overwork society”. In it, she describes a city where people live in a state of permanent tension, driven to perform right from school, in a system that values individual excellence. The case of Ashish Xiangyi Kumar, a young graduate who announced his “retirement” at the age of 31 to escape this pressure, left a deep impression and rekindled the debate on mental health in Singapore.
But this reality doesn’t just affect locals. For French expatriates, these dynamics come on top of other specific challenges: cultural mismatch, loneliness, clash of hierarchies, professional overload, etc.
Working in Singapore: opportunities for French expatriates?
Singapore is one of Asia’s most attractive destinations for French expatriate professionals. Thanks to its high-performance economy, business-friendly environment and strategic positioning, the city-state offers numerous job opportunities for French nationals in key sectors such as finance, tech, international trade, logistics, engineering and luxury goods. Numerous French and multinational companies are based here, facilitating access to the job market for French-speaking expatriates. Qualified, bilingual (French/English) profiles with international experience are particularly sought-after. Working in Singapore is a great way to boost your career in a dynamic multicultural environment in the heart of Asia.
Mental challenges facing expatriates in Singapore
Inordinate pace of work
Working days often exceed 50 hours a week, particularly in the finance, legal and tech sectors. The culture of over-performance leaves little room for rest, privacy or letting go. This environment can quickly lead to chronic stress, or even burn-out.
Social and cultural isolation
Moving to Singapore often means leaving your family circle, your friends and your landmarks behind. Geographical distance, the difficulty of making new friends and the feeling of being a foreigner in a highly codified environment all add to the feeling of loneliness. In the long term, this can lead to anxiety, demotivation and even depression.
Work/life imbalance
In a context where “work takes precedence over everything else”, it’s difficult to preserve personal time, which is essential for regulating stress. Lack of leisure time, accumulated fatigue and the pressure to “keep up” reinforce the risk of mental and physical drift.
Stigmatization of mental health
Mental health remains a taboo subject in many Asian cultures. In Singapore, seeking psychological help is still seen as an admission of weakness, even in the workplace. Many expatriates are reluctant to seek help for fear of damaging their professional image.
Listen to “The Expat Therapist: Navigating Mental Health and Dreams Abroad” podcast – episode “When the Lights Go Out…“
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How can you stay sane in Singapore?
1. Create a wellness routine
- Set clear boundaries between work and personal life
- Regular physical activity: walking, yoga, swimming
- Take time to breathe and slow down in green spaces (Botanic Gardens, Sentosa, East Coast Park…).
2. Rebuild a social circle
- Join French-speaking expatriate groups
- Participate in cultural or associative events
- Maintaining regular contact with family and friends in France
3. Get support, without delay
The most important thing is not to be left alone in the face of difficulties. Consulting a professional can help you talk, listen and manage stress better.
Taking care of your mental health with Santexpat.fr and FeelBetter Company
At Santexpat.fr, we know that the mental health of expatriates is a major issue, especially in such demanding environments as Singapore. That’s why we offer mental health teleconsultations, accessible worldwide thanks to our partnership with the FeelBetter Company platform. You can consult mental health professionals remotely, in complete confidentiality, via slots adapted to your time zone and pace of life. This service gives French expatriates access to reliable psychological support, without language barriers or geographical constraints. It’s easy to maintain your emotional balance abroad, wherever you are.
International health insurance in Singapore: what about coverage for psychological care?
In Singapore, international health insurance is essential for expatriates, not least to access quality care without excessive costs. Although the public system, such as MediShield Life, offers basic coverage for residents, it generally does not cover psychological or psychiatric care, except in the case of prolonged hospitalization. International insurers, such as Cigna Global or Allianz, offer premium health plans (often from the “Gold” or “Platinum” level upwards) that include mental health consultations, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and even psychiatric support in the case of more complex disorders.
However, some mental illnesses may be subject to exclusions or waiting periods, particularly if there is a history of the condition. Specific plans, such as AIA Beyond Critical Care, cover certain serious mental illnesses with lump-sum indemnities. Finally, some companies offer access to psychological support via EAP (Employee Assistance Program) programs. To be well protected, it is therefore advisable to choose health insurance tailored to the psychological needs of expatriates, and to check the precise conditions of coverage.
Taking care of your mental health as a French expatriate in Singapore
As an expatriate in Singapore, you’re no doubt experiencing an adventure that’s as stimulating as it is demanding. But this intensity should never be at the expense of your mental health. Stress, anxiety and isolation are not signs of weakness, but valuable signals that you need to listen to. Asking for help is not an admission of failure; on the contrary, it’s an act of lucidity and prevention. Thanks to Santexpat.fr, you can benefit from appropriate psychological support, even on the other side of the world. Take care of yourself today, you’re not alone.
