The Ministry of Manpower published a report stating that there are only 0.84 jobs available for every jobseeler in 2019, and expressed pessimism saying this year is going to be a lot worse due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Unemployment for Singaporean was at 3.3% in 2019, and statistics for 2020 is not out yet, according to the ministry.
More foreigners manage to find jobs in Singapore despite having more unemployed Singaporean citizens. A total of 28,700 jobs were created for foreigners, while an estimated 14,150 further went to foreigners on permanent residency. The figures exclude construction workers and maids.
Productivity also fell by 1.5% as Singapore workers create less value from excessive overtime despite having low wages.
Manpower Minister Josephine Teo ignored all the bad news and told the state media she is “encouraged” by the resident (including foreigners on PR) re-entry rate after they have been retrenched.