Unemployment rate rose to 2.2% in December 2010

An estimated 57,500 residents were unemployed in December 2010, according to the Department of Statistics Singapore.

The overall unemployment rate rose slightly to a seasonally adjusted 2.2% in December 2010 from 2.1% in September 2010. Among the resident labour force, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.1%. Compared with a year ago, both rates showed improvement from 2.3% (overall) and 3.3% (resident) in December 2009.

With the strong economic recovery, the unemployment rate averaged 2.2% (overall) and 3.1% (resident) in 2010, down significantly from 3.0% (overall) and 4.3% (resident) in 2009. On average, 64,800 residents were unemployed in 2010, compared with 86,900 in 2009.