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Written Answer to PQ on Youth unemployment

 

NOTICE PAPER NO. 232 OF 2025 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 06 NOVEMBER
QUESTION NO. 563 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim

To ask the Minister for Manpower what is the youth unemployment rate for the 15 to 24 years age group compared to the 25 to 35 years age group from 2000 to 2024.

Answer:

1. The unemployment rates for residents aged 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 have moved in tandem with economic cycles from 2000 to 2024, rising during recessions and easing thereafter. The relationship between the two age groups has remained broadly unchanged, with rates in 2024 at 6.8% and 3.3% respectively, comparable to the levels in 2000 [Chart 1].

Labour Force Survey, Manpower Research & Statistics Department

Source: Labour Force Survey, Manpower Research & Statistics Department, MOM

2. As in most countries, unemployment among youths aged 15 to 24 is higher than that of older age groups due to greater job search activity among new entrants. Nevertheless, Singapore’s rates remain among the lowest internationally, ranking 6th lowest among OECD countries for youths and 3rd lowest for those aged 25 to 34.


FOOTNOTE

  1. Residents refer to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
  2. Annual figures are the simple averages of unemployment figures obtained at more frequent intervals in the year.
  3. Data points for 2000 and 2005 were obtained from the Population Census and General Household Survey conducted by the Singapore Department of Statistics.