Total employment in Singapore declined by 2,400 jobs in the third quarter, but the rate of decline was slower than in the second quarter when the number of jobs fell by 16,300, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower reported on Wednesday. The data excludes migrant domestic workers.

The Ministry of Manpower noted the decline was driven by a decrease in employment among non-residents, which fell by 21,500. The decline in nonresident employment was partially offset by an increase in resident employment of 19,100.

Other findings released by the Ministry of Manpower:

• The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage point to 2.6% in September from August.
• Retrenchments fell to 1,900 in the third quarter from 2,340 in the second.
• Employees placed on a short work week or temporary layoff fell to 4,060 in the third quarter from 5,580 in the second.
• The number of job vacancies, seasonally adjusted, rose to 98,700 in September from 92,100 in June. There were 209 job vacancies for every 100 unemployed persons in September, up from 163 per 100 in June.