Singapore employment up by 20,500

Total gains in the first nine months came in at 82,500, in contrast to an almost flat growth of 100 over the same period last year when the economy was in recession.

The Singapore economy continued to create jobs in the third quarter of 2010, though the pace has eased from the robust gains earlier in the year, according to the Ministry of Manpower. Employment rose by 20,500 in the third quarter of 2010, after growing by 24,900 in the preceding and 36,500 in the first quarter.

Services added 21,300 workers in the third quarter of 2010, less than the gains of 25,400 in the preceding quarter. Manufacturing employment fell (-700), though the decline eased from the previous quarter (-2,300). Construction employment was flat after slight gains in the second quarter, due to the completion of several large building projects such as the Integrated Resorts and fewer new projects coming on stream.