The findings stem from a survey of more than 700 female professionals in the public and private sectors in Singapore.

Almost 60 per cent cited work-life balance as their top priority, outweighing other concerns such as opportunities for advancement, job security and skills upgrading.

And of that 60 per cent, 61 per cent were under 35 years old. About 53 per cent of those polled said they would leave their current job for one that offered a better work-life balance, even if it meant less pay.

If anything, the work-life balance is going the wrong way. About 75 per cent of those surveyed are working longer hours compared with a year ago, mainly because they have to shoulder more responsibilities and a bigger workload.

The survey, which was conducted by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and global financial recruitment firm Robert Half Singapore, also found that 39 per cent of companies do not have any female directors.

Robert Half managing director Tim Hird said this shortfall indicates that the glass ceiling still exists in the local workplace.

'We thought companies would be doing a lot more, considering the large presence of multinational corporations in Singapore,' he said.

The lack of equal opportunities for women is also underscored by the fact that only 49 per cent of the women surveyed claim their organisations have a formal equal opportunity policy.

In a separate global survey, Singapore was ranked 84th out of 130 countries in terms of equality for women last year.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.