Unemployment Rate in Singapore remained unchanged at 2 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 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.

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.

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.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Singapore was reported at 3.182 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Singapore - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

The number of unemployed persons in Singapore decreased to 80.90 Thousand in 2024 from 83.90 Thousand in 2023. This dataset provides - Singapore Unemployed Persons - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The unemployment rate in Singapore stands at 2.1 percent according to the latest data from . That reading shows no change from the level of 2.1 percent in the previous quarter and an increase from the level of 2 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The unemployment rate data in...

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Singapore (SLUEM1524ZSSGP) from 1991 to 2024 about Singapore, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

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.

Historical dataset showing Singapore unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Singapore: Unemployment rate for females: The latest value from 2024 is 3.43 percent, a decline from 3.71 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 8.08 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Singapore from 1991 to 2024 is 4.26 percent. The minimum value, 2.19 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 6.55 percent was recorded in 2009.

View yearly updates and historical trends for Singapore Unemployment Rate. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

In 2023, the resident unemployment rate was at 2.7 percent. The resident unemployment rate decreased as a result of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Singapore was reported at 2.699 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Singapore - Unemployment, female (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Singapore: Unemployment rate for males: The latest value from 2024 is 3 percent, a decline from 3.24 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.29 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Singapore from 1991 to 2024 is 3.76 percent. The minimum value, 2.18 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 5.75 percent was recorded in 2003.

Historical dataset showing Singapore youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Singapore MAS Forecast: Unemployment Rate: sa: Median data was reported at 2.100 % in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.000 % for Jun 2018. Singapore MAS Forecast: Unemployment Rate: sa: Median data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.450 % from Dec 1999 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 76 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.300 % in Mar 2008 and a record low of 1.500 % in Jun 2013. Singapore MAS Forecast: Unemployment Rate: sa: Median data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Monetary Authority of Singapore. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.G009: Unemployment Rate: Forecast: Monetary Authority of Singapore: Survey of Professional Forecasters.

Unemployment Rate data was reported at 2.100 % in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.100 % for Feb 2025. Unemployment Rate data is updated monthly, averaging 2.100 % from Jan 1991 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 411 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.800 % in Sep 2003 and a record low of 1.400 % in Sep 1997. Unemployment Rate 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.GEM: Unemployment Rate.

Unemployment with basic education (% of total labor force with basic education) in Singapore was reported at 2.633 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Singapore - Unemployment with basic education (% of total unemployment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Dataset from Singapore Department of Statistics. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_285a079d823a1cc22dffb9cac325f81a/view