The total number of individuals in the labor force experienced slight decreases in 2019 and 2020 but witnessed a significant surge in 2021, reaching a peak of 108.1 thousand before declining to 99.0 thousand in 2022. In parallel, the total employed population showed slight declines in 2019 and 2020 but showed a marked increase in 2022 to 94.5 thousand, surpassing the levels of 2019 and 2020. Conversely, the total unemployed population saw an uptick in 2020, followed by decreases in 2021 and 2022. Notably, the total underemployed population fluctuated over the years, peaking in 2020 and 2021 before significantly declining in 2022. (Table 1)

The labor force participation rate exhibited a slight increase from 2018 to 2019, followed by a minor decline in 2020, and a notable surge in 2021, reaching 68.0 percent, before slightly receding to 61.7 percent in 2022. Conversely, the employment rate remained relatively robust, maintaining high levels despite minor fluctuations, with notable peaks at 96.0 percent in 2019 and 95.5 percent in 2022, after a dip to 90.0 percent in 2020. In addition, the unemployment rate depicted significant variations, spiking to 10.0 percent in 2020 before declining to 4.5 percent in 2022. Similarly, the underemployment rate witnessed substantial fluctuations, peaking at 46.0 percent in 2020 before dropping to 22.3 percent by 2022. (Table 2)

(SGD)GEMMA N. OPIS
Chief Statistical Specialist

GNO/SJRDLC