INTHEBLACK February / March 2026 - Magazine - Page 8
FAST FOCUS
Number crunch
Words Susan Muldowney
56%
of employers in Singapore identify better work–life and workload
balance as the most effective retention strategies.
Source: 2025 Q4 Employment Outlook Survey, ManpowerGroup
YEAR OF THE SNAKE
BREAKS RECORDS
52%
of Australian full-time office workers have used at least one
financial service while waiting for their pay, including cash advances,
short-term payday loans or earned wage access.
Source: 2025 Deel Australia Payday Expectations Report
8 INTHEBLACK February/March 2026
Domestic travel and spending during
China’s Lunar New Year holiday hit
a record high in 2025. Data from
the country’s Ministry of Culture
and Tourism shows 501 million trips
were made within China during the
eight-day celebration of the Year
of the Snake, and tourism spending
surged 7 per cent year-on-year to
677 billion yuan (A$144.4 billion).
Lunar New Year 2026 kicks off
in February, marking the beginning
of the Year of the Horse. While the
Year of the Snake symbolises
transformation and wisdom, the
Year of the Horse is associated
with success and good fortune.
Read the media release
