Singapore third-quarter growth beats forecasts at 5.4 percent

Singapore's economy grew 5.4 percent year on year in the third quarter, slowing from a revised 6.2 percent in the second quarter but beating the 5 percent expected by economists polled by Reuters, while the Monetary Authority of Singapore held policy steady.

Why it matters: A second straight forecast beat, powered by AI related exports, keeps Singapore's upgraded 4.5 to 5.5 percent full year growth range in reach even as the central bank pauses after two rounds of tightening.

Data as of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, night. Single report: CNBC, opened and read in full via a live browser session, reporting Singapore government advance data and a Reuters economist poll; no quarter on quarter annualised figure was given in the report, hence grade C. Developing item, 2 to 3 sentences by design.

Singapore’s gross domestic product grew 5.4 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, down from a revised 6.2 percent in the second quarter, which was a four year high, but ahead of the 5 percent consensus in a Reuters poll. Manufacturing, about a fifth of the economy, declined in the quarter, partly offset by an expansion in construction.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore kept policy unchanged, pausing after tightening in April and July on inflation risks from higher energy prices, and the government maintained the full year growth forecast it raised in August, at 4.5 to 5.5 percent, the second upgrade this year after beats powered by AI related sectors and exports.

Singapore third-quarter growth beats forecasts at 5.4 percent

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