Resident and citizen unemployment rates up slightly: MOM

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.

The ministry explained that resident employment growth has been primarily supported by essential and public services as the outward-oriented sectors have seen less growth due to global economic uncertainty.

Meanwhile, non-resident employment growth accounts for majority of employment growth, mainly in sectors such as construction and manufacturing.

The number of firms expecting to hire over the next three months from September increased from 30.5 per cent in August to 42.3 per cent in September.

Companies expecting to raise wages also increased from 16.9 per cent to 19.9 per cent in the same period.

Despite the increase, the statistics are still lower compared to July.

This suggests that employers are still cautious about hiring and wage increases as global economic uncertainty continues.

Firms expecting to retrench also increased from 2.8 per cent to 3.1 per cent, which, alongside higher actual retrenchments, indicates weaknesses in the labour market that should be monitored, MOM said.

The full report to be released in mid-December will provide more details.

khooyihang@asiaone.com

根据人力部（MOM）周五（10月30日）公布的初步数据，2026年第三季度失业率略有上升。

居民和公民失业率分别小幅上升至 3% 和 3.1%，而 2026 年 8 月分别为 2.9% 和 3%。

今年9月份，整体失业率维持在2%不变。

此外，裁员人数从 2026 年第二季度的 4,620 人增加到第三季度的 4,800 人，为 2020 年末以来的最高水平。

同期，裁员发生率仍为每千名员工中有两人被裁。

人力部表示：“部分对外导向型行业的裁员规模仍然居高不下，而企业重组仍然是裁员的主要驱动因素。”

该部表示，第三季度总就业人数增加了27700人，高于第二季度的11400人。

这一数字也高于去年第三季度的 25,100。

居民和非居民就业增长速度均比上一季度加快。

该部解释说，由于全球经济的不确定性，对外贸易行业增长较少，居民就业增长主要由基本服务和公共服务支撑。

与此同时，非居民就业增长占就业增长的大部分，主要集中在建筑业和制造业等行业。

预计未来三个月（从 9 月起）将进行招聘的公司数量从 8 月的 30.5% 增加到 9 月的 42.3%。

同期，预计提高工资的公司比例也从 16.9% 上升至 19.9%。

尽管有所增长，但与7月份相比，统计数据仍然较低。

这表明，在全球经济不确定性持续存在的情况下，雇主在招聘和加薪方面仍然保持谨慎。

人力部表示，预计裁员的企业比例也从 2.8% 上升至 3.1%，加上实际裁员人数增加，表明劳动力市场存在疲软迹象，应予以密切关注。

将于12月中旬发布的完整报告将提供更多细节。

khooyihang@asiaone.com