In 2023, the labor force employment rate of those aged 15 years and above in Singapore was 66.2 percent. Singapore has enjoyed a relatively stable employment rate. In the face of a rapidly aging population, however, it faces higher demand for labor in the workforce. Aging population While Singapore is likely to continue with the strategies of migration and input from foreign labor supply as a means to maintain labor force growth, there is a need to expand the resident labor force at the same time by tapping older age groups as well as women. The minimum retirement age in Singapore is set at 62 years old, however 31.5 percent of residents aged 65 years old were still employed or seeking employment. A profile of older workers in Singapore showed that a large proportion of the current cohort of workers tend to be less educated, and thus many are employed in low-skilled jobs and hence receive lesser wages. It is thus a challenge to raise labor productivity and to enhance their long-term employability in an unstable economic climate. Women in the workforce The female labor force participation rate in Singapore places the city-state behind countries in the APAC region like Vietnam, Cambodia and New Zealand despite higher education attainment amongst women in recent years. The gender gap in the local labor force only emerges when women enter their 30s. In addressing this issue, ad hoc flexible work arrangements, such as unplanned time-off and telecommuting were introduced in recent years. Singapore has also implemented several enhanced maternity benefits and leave schemes for working parents.

Unemployment Rate in Singapore increased to 2.10 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 2 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Singapore Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The number of employed people in Singapore amounted to 4.02 million people in 2024. Between 1980 and 2024, the number rose by 2.95 million people, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. From 2024 to 2026, the number will increase by 60,000 people.The indicator describes the number of employed people. This refers to persons who during a pre-defined period, either: a) performed wage or salary work, b) held a formal attachment to their job (even if not currently working), (c) performed for-profit work for personal or family gain , (d) were with an enterprise although temporarily not at work for any specific reason.

In 2023, 8.3 percent of the labor force aged 15 to 24 years in Singapore were estimated to be unemployed. It was reported that over one million people who were 15 years and older who were in the labor force in 2022 had a degree. Youth tend to be in informal employment As compared to other countries in the Asia Pacific region, Singapore recorded one of the highest youth unemployment rates. Across the region, the majority of youths work in informal employment. This was found most among graduates in Singapore’s private universities, where many were either unemployed, or in part-time and temporary employment. Finding employment after higher education On average, almost 90 percent of university graduates would have managed to secure a job within six months of graduation. Since March 2020, the government has set up a few funds to assist these youths. For example, graduates from Singapore’s six universities will be provided with free training and courses upon graduation this year. Traineeship opportunities have also been extended to graduates of other post-secondary education institutions, such as the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics.

Employment in Singapore increased by 7 in March of 2025. This dataset provides - Singapore Employment Change- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Dataset from null. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_ca7a8eedf7b8cbe05d5a140a6dc9fc3c/view

Key information about Singapore Unemployment Rate

• Singapore Unemployment Rate increased to 1.90% in May 2023, from the previously reported figure of 1.80% in Apr 2023.
• Singapore Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Mar 2020 to May 2023, with an average rate of 2.50%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 3.50% in Oct 2020 and a record low of 1.80% in Apr 2023.
• The data is reported by reported by CEIC Data.
• In the latest reports, Singapore Population reached 5.64 million people in Jun 2022.

Dataset from Singapore Department of Statistics. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_64c9443f13f603f552c5d2a4e65aac9a/view

The youth unemployment rate in Singapore amounted to 7.82 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate rose by 3.95 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

The number of employed persons in Singapore increased to 4046.20 Thousand in 2024 from 3986.40 Thousand in 2023. This dataset provides - Singapore Employed Persons - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Dataset from Singapore Department of Statistics. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_11a640f1e61c1a680efeac8c775cdcb5/view

Singapore: Unemployment rate: The latest value from 2024 is 3.18 percent, a decline from 3.44 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.80 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Singapore from 1991 to 2024 is 3.96 percent. The minimum value, 2.18 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 5.93 percent was recorded in 2003.

Singapore SG: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 2.200 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.950 % for 2016. Singapore SG: Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 2.950 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2017, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.500 % in 1986 and a record low of 1.700 % in 1990. Singapore SG: Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Dataset from Ministry of Manpower. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_392227d0842ed7dc7f84934f43755921/view

singapore - Youth Unemployment Rate for Singapore was 7.82% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, singapore - Youth Unemployment Rate for Singapore reached a record high of 10.56 in January of 2020 and a record low of 7.82 in January of 2024. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for singapore - Youth Unemployment Rate for Singapore - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

This dataset provides values for UNEMPLOYMENT RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Singapore SG: Unemployment with Advance Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data was reported at 3.430 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.660 % for 2013. Singapore SG: Unemployment with Advance Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 2.340 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.430 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.670 % in 1997. Singapore SG: Unemployment with Advance Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. The percentage of the labor force with an advanced level of education who are unemployed. Advanced education comprises short-cycle tertiary education, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent education level, a master’s degree or equivalent education level, or doctoral degree or equivalent education level according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average;

Dataset from Singapore Department of Statistics. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_d2518fed6cc2014f0cd061b4570a9592/view

Employment: NF: sa: RT: SG: OS: Gift, Novelty, & Souvenir data was reported at 122.000 Person th in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 124.900 Person th for Feb 2025. Employment: NF: sa: RT: SG: OS: Gift, Novelty, & Souvenir data is updated monthly, averaging 196.000 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 271.800 Person th in Jul 2000 and a record low of 70.800 Person th in Apr 2020. Employment: NF: sa: RT: SG: OS: Gift, Novelty, & Souvenir data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll: Seasonally Adjusted.

The unemployment rate in Singapore raised to around 4.1 percent in 2020 from 3.1 percent in the year before. For many economies, this would be considered overemployment, but Singapore may have a lower natural unemployment rate than other economies.

What’s wrong with overemployment?

When there are not enough workers, firms are forced to hire anyone who is available. This means that employers may not select the best applicants but rather anyone who applies. This leads to lower productivity, because workers are not finding the job for which they are best suited. Companies may also have to offer wages that are so high that they also lead to a rise in prices and thus, to a higher inflation.

Singapore may be different

Singapore has a small, open economy. It has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the region, indicating that it is an advanced economy. This is largely due to the small population, which is almost entirely urban. As such, its workforce may be better matched to employer needs, which would reduce the natural level of unemployment.