Singapore's jobless rate rises to 2.1% in March

Fewer jobs were created in the first quarter of this year, with about 27,400 new jobs added.

The increase was lower than the 28,300 new jobs in the first quarter of last year and the seasonal high of 37,600 in the fourth quarter of last year.

Even though employment creation moderated slightly, the job market remained fairly strong.

The jobless rate rose slightly, as the seasonally-adjusted overall unemployment rate increased from 2 per cent in December last year to 2.1 per cent in March this year.

These are the key findings from a report - Employment Situation, First Quarter 2012 - released by the Research and Statistics Department of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) today.

The unemployment rate rose over the same period for residents from 2.9 per cent to 3 per cent and citizens from 3 per cent to 3.2 per cent.

An estimated 59,100 residents, including 52,800 Singapore citizens, were unemployed in March this year.

These come amid the rise in layoffs in the earlier quarter which has since eased off in the first quarter this year. 

ORIGINAL SOURCE
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