More locals found jobs last year

SINGAPORE - Singapore's total employment grew by an estimated 134,900 last year, up from the 129,100 in 2012, according to preliminary figures released by the Manpower Ministry on Wednesday.

More locals found jobs, while curbs on foreign manpower continued to moderate the growth of the foreign workforce.

Local employment growth during the year was 81,600, up from 58,700 in 2012. Growth in employment of foreigners slowed to 53,300 from 70,400 in 2012.

Unemployment rates

The report noted that in December, locals made up 66.2 per cent of persons employed here, with foreigners (excluding foreign domestic workers) accounting for 33.8 per cent.

Quarterly figures show that unemployment rates in December were unchanged from the previous quarter, at 1.8 per cent overall and 2.8 per cent for citizens. However, the resident unemployment rate went up slightly, from 2.6 per cent in September to 2.7 per cent in December. The number of laid off workers also increased slightly, from 11,010 in 2012 to 11,400 in 2013.

Get The New Paper for more stories.