Singapore - Unemployment in Singapore remains steady at 2.2% after rising for two quarters previously. However, job growth has slowed comparatively to the second quarter.

According to preliminary estimates released by the Manpower Ministry, employment rate in the third quarter grew to 57,800, it is still a 20% decline from the previous quarter, which saw 71, 400 new jobs. Despite the slower growth rate, MOM says the "strong pipeline of building projects" from the construction sector has helped create 16,400 jobs in the third quarter.

Retrenchment figures are also higher compared to Q2. The figure has climbed to 2,000 which is more than the 1,800 people who were laid off in the previous quarter. Most retrenched staff came from the manufacturing sector, which laid off 1,500, with another 500 from the services industry.