Singapore jobless rate up 2.3pc
Singapore's jobless rate rose to 2.3 per cent in June, for the second quarter in a row even as total employment growth remained strong in the second quarter, driven by the robust construction sector.
Amid the economic uncertainties, the overall unemployment rate rose from a seasonally adjusted 1.7 per cent in December to 2 per cent in March and further to 2.3 per cent in June, according to the latest labour market update released by the Ministry of Manpower on Monday.
Some 77,800 residents were jobless in June. The seasonally adjusted figure was 60,900, up 12 per cent from 54,300 in March. But MOM said it was comparable to the 59,700 in June a year ago.
The number of unemployed residents went up from 2.4 per cent in December to 2.9 per cent in March and 3.1 per cent in June.
The prevailing overall and resident unemployment rates are at the same levels as a year ago, said MOM.
But the labour market remained strong. A record 144,600 jobs were added in the first six months, compared with 113,800 in the same period last year. But the growth of 71,400 jobs was slightly lower than the first quarter's 73,200. Still, it was higher than a year ago (64,400).
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