Singapore cut its estimate for the unemployment rate last quarter as record economic growth spurred hiring by services and construction companies.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 2.2% in the three months through June, less than a July estimate of 2.3%, the Ministry of Manpower said in a statement today. The city state added 24,900 jobs in the quarter, compared with the previous estimate of 26,500.

Singapore’s economy is in the running to be the world’s fastest-expanding in 2010 as rising demand for goods and services caused growth to surge to a record 17.9% pace in the first six months. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said last month the nation may let in about 80,000 foreign workers this year to meet the needs of the economy.

“Supported by strong economic expansion, the labor market performed favorably in the second quarter,” the ministry said. “With the continued rise in manpower demand, job openings have outnumbered job seekers for the first time in this economic recovery.”

The services industry added 25,400 jobs last quarter while construction companies increased hiring by 2,000, the report showed. The manufacturing industry cut 2,300 jobs, less than the July estimate of 2,400.