Singapore's jobless rate edged up 2.1 percent in June, up from 1.9 percent in March and 1.8 percent in December, respectively, the Ministry of Manpower said on Wednesday.

"The tight labour market showed signs of easing in the second quarter of 2013, as layoffs rose amid business restructuring and consolidation," the ministry said.

Employment creation remained strong, increasing to 32,500 in the second quarter from 28,900 in the previous quarter.

"Job creation remained strong last quarter, driven by demand from the banking and financial services, life sciences and technology sectors for specialist skills," said Michael Smith, director for the Singapore market at human resources consultancy Randstad.

The resident unemployment rate rose to 3 percent in June to 2.9 percent in March, while the jobless rate for citizens increased to 3.1 percent from 2.9 percent in the preceding two quarters.

An estimated 2,900 workers were laid off in the second quarter, compared with 2,120 in the first quarter.