Unemployment rate · Singapore
Singapore Unemployment Rate Prel
The Singapore Unemployment Rate Prel measures the share of the labour force in Singapore, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Quarterly
- Currency
- SGD · Singapore dollar
- Central bank
- The Monetary Authority of Singapore
Latest figures
The latest release for Q3, published on 30 October 2026, came in at 2%, up from 1.9% the time before.
Over the last 8 releases it ranged from 1.9% to 2.1%, averaging 2.0%.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Oct 2026 | Q3 | 2% | – | 1.9% |
| 31 Jul 2026 | Q2 | 2% | – | 2.0% |
| 30 Apr 2026 | Q1 | 2.1% | – | 2% |
| 29 Jan 2026 | Q4 | 2% | – | 2% |
| 30 Oct 2025 | Q3 | 2% | – | 2% |
| 30 Jul 2025 | Q2 | 2.1% | – | 2% |
| 28 Apr 2025 | Q1 | 2.1% | – | 1.9% |
| 27 Jan 2025 | Q4 | 1.9% | – | 1.9% |
Why it matters
Full employment is part of most central banks' mandate. A falling unemployment rate means a tighter labour market, faster wage growth and more inflation pressure, which can keep the Monetary Authority of Singapore hawkish; a rising rate is one of the clearest recession signals (the US "Sahm rule" flags a 0.5-point rise in the three-month average).
How it is calculated
the Department of Statistics (SingStat) usually runs a household survey: people are counted as unemployed if they had no work, were available and looked for a job recently. The rate is unemployed ÷ (employed + unemployed). Registered jobless and claimant counts instead count people signed on for benefits. Participation is the labour force ÷ working-age population.
Unemployment rate = unemployed ÷ labour force × 100
Labour force = employed + unemployedWhat changes mean
- A lower rate than expected usually supports the Singapore dollar.
- Check participation: unemployment can fall because people stop looking, which is not good news.
- Broader measures (US U-6) include part-timers who want more hours.
Higher than expected: A higher unemployment rate than expected points to a weakening labour market: the Singapore dollar tends to soften as markets price in lower rates.
Lower than expected: A lower unemployment rate than expected signals a tight labour market: it tends to support the Singapore dollar and push bond yields up.
A short history
Systematic unemployment statistics began in the 1930s Depression; the International Labour Organization's definition, adopted in 1982, is used by most countries today.
MAS steers the Singapore dollar's exchange rate rather than an interest rate.
Questions
What is the Singapore Unemployment Rate Prel?
The Singapore Unemployment Rate Prel measures the share of the labour force in Singapore, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
What was the latest Singapore Unemployment Rate Prel?
2% for Q3, published on 30 October 2026.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.