Singapore's jobless rate declined unexpectedly in the second quarter of 2012, data from the Ministry of Manpower showed Tuesday.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 2 percent in the second quarter from 2.1 percent in the first quarter. Economists' expected the rate to increase to 2.2 percent.
Total employment is estimated to have grown by 29,200 in the second quarter. Employment recorded an increase of 27,200 in the first quarter.
Construction and manufacturing registered strong employment increases of 9,500 and 4,500 respectively. On the other hand, job creation in services eased to 15,500.
Layoffs declined for the second successive quarter. An estimated 2,300 workers were made redundant in the second quarter compared to 2,600 workers affected in the preceding quarter.
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