Singapore reported a consistent rise in employment for the second quarter of 2026. This marks the 19th straight quarter of growth, with total employment increasing by 10,700 positions. Ministry of Manpower data confirms the numbers rose from 9,400 in the previous quarter and 10,400 during the same period last year.
Non-resident workers largely fueled this growth, particularly within the construction and manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile, resident employment—covering Singapore citizens and permanent residents—grew at a more measured pace, focused mostly on public services.
Despite the gains, the local job market saw a slight uptick in layoffs. The number of employees affected rose to 4,500, up from 3,830 in the first quarter. Officials linked this to business restructuring in outward-oriented industries, which increased the layoff incidence to 1.9 per 1,000 employees.
Jobless rates remained steady despite the shift in layoffs. The overall unemployment rate stayed at 2.0% through June. Citizen unemployment figures improved, dropping slightly to 3.0%. These numbers reflect a market where labor demand remains stable even as firms adjust to economic uncertainty.
Looking toward the near future, business outlooks show positive signals. The percentage of firms expecting to hire over the next three months rose to 43.9% in June, and companies anticipating wage increases reached 29.3%. Furthermore, the share of firms planning to lay off workers fell to 2.7%. These indicators suggest the labor market maintains a resilient stance as organizations balance restructuring with hiring needs.