Singapore’s unemployment rate at 2.0% in Q3 2025

44.1% of firms indicated plans to hire in the fourth quarter.

Singapore’s labour market during the third quarter (Q3 2025) saw 24,800 employed individuals, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

This was higher than the 22,300 a year earlier and the previous quarter’s 10,400. The growth was supported by both resident and non-resident workers.

Resident employment continued to expand in sectors such as financial services and health and social services, but weakened in outward-oriented sectors like information and communications, professional services, and wholesale trade. 

Non-resident employment saw similar declines in those industries, but rose amongst work permit holders in construction and manufacturing.

Unemployment stayed stable in September, with an overall rate of 2.0%. 

The resident and citizen unemployment rates stood at 2.8% and 3.0%, respectively. MOM noted that these levels remain within the non-recessionary range.

Retrenchments remained steady at 3,500 in the third quarter, compared to 3,540 in the previous three months. 

The majority were attributed to business reorganisation or restructuring.

Looking ahead, hiring sentiment has improved slightly, with 44.1% of firms indicating plans to hire in the fourth quarter.

However, the outlook remains uneven, as outward-oriented sectors continue to show weaker hiring intentions.

Fewer companies plan to raise wages, with only 19.3% expecting to do so. 

MOM said wage growth is likely to moderate amidst rising costs, whilst employment gains may increasingly come from non-resident workers due to Singapore’s already high resident participation rate.

The ministry said that whilst the overall labour market remains firm, employers and workers should stay adaptable. 

It highlighted government schemes available to support workforce upskilling, job redesign, and career resilience.