Singapore's Q3 employment outlook, in charts

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Manpower has released its preliminary labour market outlook for the third quarter (Q3) of 2016. 

Here's a breakdown of the key employment figures in five charts. 

UNEMPLOYMENT

* Unemployment rate unchanged at 2.1 per cent in September 2016, according to preliminary estimates.

* An estimated 66,500 residents (including 58,500 Singapore citizens) were unemployed in September 2016, lower than the 68,400 residents (including 60,200 citizens) in June.

* Total employment in Sept 2016 reached 3,670,200 — which is 0.8 per cent higher than from a year ago, but lower than the 1.3 per cent growth in June, and the average annual growth of about 2 per cent in 2015.

EMPLOYMENT CHANGE BY SECTORS

* Total employment fell in Q3 by 3,300. This is the first contraction in employment since the first quarter of last year, and affected mainly the manufacturing and construction sector's work permit holders.

* Services sector: Employment grew by 5,700, a slow down from the previous quarter's growth of 7,600.

* Manufacturing sector: Employment fell by 3,700. This is the sector's eighth consecutive quarter of job declines.

* Construction sector: Employment fell by 5,200, amid a decline in private sector construction activities.

REDUNDANCY

* About 4,100 workers laid-off in Q3, compared to 4,800 in Q2, based on preliminary estimates.

* There were 3,460 layoffs in Q3 2015. 

REDUNDANCY BY SECTOR

* The services sector saw the bulk of lay-offs (59%) in Q3, followed by manufacturing (27%) and construction (15%).

Here's a quick roundup