Resident and citizen unemployment rates up slightly: MOM
The Ministry of Manpower released advance data showing a small rise in unemployment for residents and citizens in the third quarter of 2026. The rate for residents reached 3 per cent, while the rate for citizens rose to 3.1 per cent. These figures are slightly higher than the August 2026 rates of 2.9 per cent and 3 per cent. The overall unemployment rate for September remained steady at two per cent. Retrenchments grew to 4,800 in the third quarter, up from 4,620 in the second quarter. This marks the highest number of retrenchments since late 2020. The incidence of retrenchment stayed at two per 1,000 employees.
Unemployment rates have seen a slight increase in the third quarter of 2026, according to advance data by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Friday (Oct 30).Resident and citizen unemployment rates edged up to 3 per cent and 3.1 per cent respectively, from 2.9 per cent and 3 per cent in August 2026.The overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at two per cent in September this year.Additionally, the number of retrenchments increased from 4,620 in the second quarter of 2026 to 4,800 in the third quarter, the highest since late 2020.The incidence of retrenchment remained at two per 1,000 employees over the same period."Retrenchments remained elevated in selected outward-oriented sectors, while business reorganisation continued to be the main driver of retrenchments," MOM stated.The ministry said that total employment grew by 27,700 in the third quarter — higher than the 11,400 in the second quarter.This figure is also higher than the 25,100 seen in the third quarter last year.Both resident and non-resident employment grew faster than the previous quarter.