SINGAPORE, July 14 — The Republic’s economy grew 5.7 per cent year‑on‑year in the second quarter of 2026, easing from the 6.3 per cent expansion recorded in the first quarter, according to advance estimates released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) today.
CNA reported that according to the ministry, manufacturing remained the standout performer, surging 12.2 per cent on the back of strong demand for electronics and precision engineering products driven by artificial‑intelligence‑related semiconductor needs.
Quarter‑on‑quarter, the economy expanded 1.1 per cent, extending the 1.3 per cent growth seen in the first three months of the year. MTI noted that advance estimates are based largely on April and May data and may be revised when full quarterly figures are available.
Manufacturing’s momentum was supported by higher output in electronics and precision engineering, though chemicals contracted due to feedstock disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Biomedical manufacturing also shrank. The sector grew 5.3 per cent on a seasonally adjusted quarter‑on‑quarter basis, reversing a contraction in Q1.
Construction rose 6.2 per cent year‑on‑year, slower than the 12.9 per cent jump in the previous quarter, with both public and private‑sector projects contributing. Services industries posted mixed performances: wholesale and retail trade, and transportation and storage grew 6.3 per cent; information and communications, finance and insurance, and professional services expanded 3.9 per cent; while accommodation and food services, real estate, administrative support and other services collectively rose 2.7 per cent.
Across services, growth was supported by resilient demand for IT solutions, steady developer activity in real estate, and continued strength in health, social services and education.
