Citizen unemployment inches up to 3.1% in Q3

It’s the second consecutive quarter of increase.

Unemployment for Singapore citizens inched up to 3.1%, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)’s third quarter labour market report.

Meanwhile, unemployment for residents rose to 3%. The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate remained unchanged over the quarter, sitting at 2% in September 2015.

This marks the second consecutive quarter of increase amid softer economic conditions. About 56,700 residents, including 51,100 Singapore citizens we unemployed in September 2015. This is up from 52,700 residents—of which 46,700 were citizens—in September 2014.

“The increase in unemployment over the year was broad-based by education and age, more so for residents aged 40s and over. This occurred amid fewer job openings than a year ago,” stated the report.

The long-term unemployment (LTU) rate among residents edged up to 0.6% in September 2015, up from 0.5% from the preceding year. The number of those looking for work for at least 25 weeks climbed from 10,800 in September 2014 to 12,800 in September 2015. Among residents, the long-term unemployed comprised 23% of job seekers, an increase from 21% a year ago.

“The rise in long-term unemployment rate largely reflected trends among those with postsecondary (non-tertiary) and degree qualifications whose rates were back to their 2013 levels after posting marked improvements a year ago,” stated the report.

Meanwhile, only those in their 50s saw an improvement from a year ago as LTU rate picked up for residents in their 30s and 40s.