SINGAPORE'S jobless rate was 2.2 per cent in the third quarter, unchanged from the previous quarter, final government data showed on Monday.

Preliminary data in October had also put the third quarter jobless rate at 2.2 per cent, confounding expectations firms would cut hiring amid the financial crisis.

Total employment in the city-state grew by 55,700 in July-September, the Manpower Ministry said, slightly lower than the preliminary estimate of 57,800 and below the second quarter figure of 71,400.

The number of job vacancies in September fell to 36,000, a drop of 10 per cent from 40,100 in the previous quarter, while nominal earnings rose 5.5 per cent year-on-year compared with a gain of 3.1 per cent in the second quarter.

Singapore's trade-driven economy fell into its first recession in six years in the third quarter as the global financial crisis reduced demand for Singapore's exports and factory output.

Singapore reports unemployment on a quarterly basis. -- THOMSON REUTERS