Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Singapore
Singapore: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 2.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Singapore, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Singapore is 2.8%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 3.0% on the previous year and down 25.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Singapore peaked at 5.9% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 2.2%, in 1991.
That places Singapore 155th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Singapore, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2.2% | — |
| 1992 | 3.1% | +41.7% |
| 1993 | 3.1% | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 3.0% | -1.3% |
| 1995 | 3.3% | +8.9% |
| 1996 | 3.6% | +8.2% |
| 1997 | 2.5% | -30.0% |
| 1998 | 3.4% | +36.4% |
| 1999 | 4.8% | +42.2% |
| 2000 | 3.7% | -23.7% |
| 2001 | 3.8% | +1.6% |
| 2002 | 5.7% | +50.3% |
| 2003 | 5.9% | +5.0% |
| 2004 | 5.8% | -1.5% |
| 2005 | 5.6% | -4.3% |
| 2006 | 4.5% | -19.9% |
| 2007 | 3.9% | -12.9% |
| 2008 | 4.0% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 5.9% | +48.0% |
| 2010 | 4.1% | -29.7% |
| 2011 | 3.9% | -5.6% |
| 2012 | 3.7% | -4.4% |
| 2013 | 3.9% | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 3.7% | -3.1% |
| 2015 | 3.8% | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 4.1% | +7.7% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | +2.9% |
| 2018 | 3.6% | -14.0% |
| 2019 | 3.1% | -14.2% |
| 2020 | 4.1% | +32.3% |
| 2021 | 4.6% | +13.2% |
| 2022 | 3.6% | -22.6% |
| 2023 | 3.4% | -4.1% |
| 2024 | 2.7% | -20.5% |
| 2025 | 2.8% | +3.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.2% | 2.2% | 4.8% | 9 |
| 2000s | 4.9% | 3.7% | 5.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.8% | 3.1% | 4.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.6% | 2.7% | 4.6% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Singapore
More education data for Singapore
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 13,601 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 336 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 9,429 (1989)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 8,429 (1989)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 163,746 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 238,816 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.4 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0404 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Singapore?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Singapore was 2.8% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Singapore?
- The highest recorded value was 5.9% in 2003.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Singapore?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.2% in 1991.
- How does Singapore rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Singapore ranks 155th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Singapore?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Singapore data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.