By Aaron Low

GRADUATES are hurting the most among the growing pool of jobless Singapore residents battered by the economic crisis.

The number of out-of-work degree holders more than doubled last year to 14,800 in December, from 6,200 a year earlier.

They joined an expanding group of unemployed residents - comprising Singaporeans and permanent residents - whose numbers rose from 56,100 in September to 69,900 in December last year.

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