SINGAPORE, Sept 21 — Singapore’s labour market continued to expand in the second quarter (2Q) of 2026, with total employment increasing to 11,400, up from 9,400 in the previous quarter.
The Manpower Ministry (MOM), in a statement on Monday, said the stronger quarterly increase was driven by non-resident employment, which grew to 9,200, up from 4,100 in the previous quarter.
Resident employment also continued to grow, although the increase moderated to 2,200 from 5,400 in the previous quarter, it said.
“Overall, the labour market remained resilient in 2Q 2026, with continued employment growth and low unemployment.
“However, conditions became less favourable for some resident workers, as resident employment growth moderated, retrenchments increased, and six-month re-entry outcomes weakened,” it said.
According to the ministry, unemployment rates remained low and broadly stable in June 2026, at 1.9 per cent overall, 2.9 per cent for residents and 3.0 per cent for citizens.
The resident long-term unemployment rate edged up from 0.9 per cent in March to 1.0 per cent in June, it said.
Meanwhile, MOM said retrenchments increased from 3,830 in 1Q 2026 to 4,620 in 2Q 2026, with the incidence rising from 1.6 to 2.0 retrenchments per 1,000 employees.
The increase was concentrated in outward-oriented sectors, including manufacturing, information and communications, and financial services.
“Business reorganisation or restructuring remained the main reason for retrenchments,” it added.
