Singapore’s employment growth accelerated in the third quarter of 2026 while layoffs increased to 4,800, the Ministry of Manpower reported Oct. 30, underscoring an uneven hiring environment for employers and workers.
Total employment grew by 27,700, compared with 11,400 in the preceding quarter and 25,100 a year earlier, according to the ministry’s advance release. Both resident and non-resident employment grew faster than in the previous quarter.
More layoffs, an unchanged incidence
Retrenchments rose from 4,620 in the second quarter to 4,800. The ministry said business reorganization remained the main reason for layoffs, which stayed elevated in selected outward-oriented sectors.
CNA reported that the number was the highest quarterly total since the fourth quarter of 2020. That historical comparison concerns the number of workers retrenched, not a newly increased rate: the incidence remained at two per 1,000 employees.
The overall unemployment rate was unchanged at 2% in September. Resident unemployment edged up to 3% from 2.9% in August, while citizen unemployment increased to 3.1% from 3%.
Sector differences remain important
The ministry said essential and public services continued to support resident employment growth. Non-residents accounted for most employment growth, particularly in construction and manufacturing.
Hiring intentions improved in September, but the ministry said employers remained cautious. The share of firms expecting layoffs over the following three months also increased, to 3.1% from 2.8%.
The figures are preliminary. CNA reported that the fuller third-quarter labour-market report is due in mid-December, providing the next scheduled opportunity for a more detailed assessment of sector conditions.