SINGAPORE stands out among developed countries in achieving strong GDP and employment growth, according to data released by the Manpower Ministry on Friday.

Annual job growth in advanced economies such as Britain, the United States, Hong Kong and Japan typically hover around 3 per cent or lower. But the number of jobs here grew by 9.4 per cent last year, and 7.6 per cent the previous year.

A record 234,900 jobs were created last year, surpassing the Government's own projections.

Early last year, MOM had forecast that the economy would add 450,000 jobs over the next five years. Instead, it reached the halfway mark in one year.

The ministry said: 'Singapore's performance is the result of our flexible labour market policies, which has helped the economy grow and created more than sufficient jobs for Singaporeans, including new entrants into the labour market.'

Labour experts pointed out that other factors also made a difference.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.