Number of Persons Working as Insurance Agents

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower for each of the years from 2004 to 2014 (a) how many people in the labour force are working as insurance agents; and (b) what is the breakdown for such persons in terms of full-time employment, part-time employment, educational qualification, age, gender and nationality.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin: The number of insurance representatives is less than 1% amongst all employed residents from 2003 to 2013 (0.6% in both 2003 and 2013).

Similar to 2003, nine in ten resident insurance representatives were in full-time employment 9 in 2013. About four in five attained a diploma or above qualification, up from one in two in 2003. In terms of age, the proportion which is aged forty and above remained constant over the period, at about one in two. Similarly, there has been an even distribution of males and females from 2003 to 2013.

In 2003 and 2013, more than nine in ten insurance representatives were residents.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 18:

9 Before 2009, full-time employment refers to employment where the normal hours of work is 30 hours or more in a week. From 2009 onwards, full-time employment refers to employment where the normal hours of work is 35 hours or more in a week.