Unemployment rate dips slightly in first quarter while employment growth slows

The unemployment rate dipped in the first quarter of 2015 while employment growth slowed, according to figures released by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) on Saturday. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN
The unemployment rate dipped in the first quarter of 2015 while employment growth slowed, according to figures released by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) on Saturday. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

SINGAPORE - The unemployment rate dipped in the first quarter of 2015 while employment growth slowed, according to figures released by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) on Saturday.

The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate fell to 1.8 per cent in March 2015, from 1.9 per cent in December 2014.

For citizens, the unemployment rate was 2.6 per cent, down from 2.7 per cent, while the rate for residents was 2.5 per cent, a dip from 2.7 per cent.

Overall employment grew in the first quarter of 2015 by 2.9 per cent, bringing the total number of people in employment to 3,624,200. But this rate of increase was down from the 3.7 per cent in December last year.

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