Singapore’s unemployment rate inched up to 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026, slightly higher than the 2.0% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. The latest figure, updated on 30 April 2026, marks a modest increase after a period of stability at what is still considered a relatively low level of joblessness.
The move from 2.0% to 2.1% suggests a marginal softening in labour market conditions, but not a sharp deterioration. For investors and businesses, the data will be watched for signs of whether this uptick represents a temporary adjustment or the beginning of a broader cooling trend in employment as Singapore navigates the evolving global economic environment.